The Social and Political Systems of Central Polynesia: Volume 3

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)

9781107625723, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 14 November 2013

494 pages
24.4 x 2.5 x 17 cm, 0.78 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.

29. Administration of justice
30. Connection between the sacred and secular offices
31. The sanctity of chiefs
32. The powers of chiefs
33. The relationship between the classes of society
34. Names and titles
35. Testamentary appointments to family names and titles
36. Elective appointments to family names and titles
37. Deposition
38. Some beliefs as to names and titles
39. Land tenure and control (preliminary and Samoa)
40. Land tenure and control (other islands)
41. Control of food supply
42. Tribute and cognate matters
43. Succession and inheritance
44. The head of the social group
Index.

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