Lewis Henry Morgan's comparisons : reassessing terminology, anarchy and worldview in indigenous societies of America, Australia and Highland Middle India / Georg Pfeffer.
Life and Work of Lewis Henry Morgan (1818-1881) -- Tools and Types -- Seneca Revisited -- Omaha Skewing Reconsidered -- Highland Middle Indian (HMI) Terminologies -- Schneider, Relatedness, 'Malayan', and General Comparison -- Social Evolution and the Australian Anomaly -- Order in Anarchy: HMI Gentile Organization Compared -- Bridewealth and Gender in Highland Middle India -- The Dark Side of the Moon -- Conclusion. For the Record -- Glossary -- References -- Index
Summary:
"About 150 years ago L. H. Morgan compared relationship terminologies, societal forms, and ideas of property to recognize the interdependence of the three domains. From a new perspective, the book will re-examine, confirm and criticize, Morgan's findings to conclude that reciprocal affinal relations determine most 'classificatory' terminologies and regulate many non-state societies, their property notions, and their rituals. Apart from references to American and Australian features, such holistic socio-cultural constructs will be exemplified by elaborate descriptions of little-known contemporary indigenous societies in highland Middle India, altogether comprising many millions of members"-- Provided by publisher.
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