The Social and Political Systems of Central Polynesia: Volume 2

Originally published in 1924, this book forms part of a three-volume study on the socio-political systems of Polynesian islands near the equator.

Robert W. Williamson (Author)

9781107625709, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 14 November 2013

504 pages
24.4 x 2.6 x 17 cm, 0.8 kg

Robert Wood Williamson (1856–1932) was a British solicitor and anthropologist who worked extensively in New Guinea and Polynesia. Originally published in 1924, this book forms part of a three-volume study by Williamson on the socio-political systems of Polynesian islands near the equator. The study was written with the intention of consolidating the observations made in the extensive and various literature on the subject of Central Polynesian indigenous societies into a unified and accessible text. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in Polynesia and the development of anthropology.

14. Social and local grouping
15. Social and local grouping (the marae as a social centre)
16. Matrilineal descent
17. Exogamy
18. Special relationship matters and terms (preliminary and Samoa)
19. Special relationship matters and terms (other islands, and observations)
20. Totemism (preliminary and Samoa)
21. Totemism (other islands)
22. Totemism (spirits of the dead becoming or entering into animals, and observations)
23. Clan badges
24. The social character of war
25. The chiefs
26. The middle and lower classes
27. Priests and sorcerers
28. Council meetings.

Subject Areas: Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography [JHMC]