The Social Organization And The Secret Societies Of The Kwakiutl Indians (1897)

The Social Organization And The Secret Societies Of The Kwakiutl Indians is a book written by Franz Boas in 1897. The book provides a comprehensive study of the social structure and secret societies of the Kwakiutl Indians, a Native American tribe living in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. Boas, a renowned anthropologist, conducted extensive fieldwork among the Kwakiutl people, which forms the basis of this book.The book is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on the social organization of the Kwakiutl people, including their family structure, marriage customs, and kinship relations. Boas provides a detailed analysis of the Kwakiutl social structure, which is based on a complex system of clans and sub-clans. He also examines the role of women in Kwakiutl society, which is unique compared to other Native American tribes.The second part of the book explores the secret societies of the Kwakiutl people. These societies were exclusive groups that had their own rituals, beliefs, and practices. Boas provides an in-depth analysis of the various secret societies, including the Hamatsa, a society that practiced cannibalism as part of their initiation ceremony.Overall, The Social Organization And The Secret Societies Of The Kwakiutl Indians is an important work in the field of anthropology. It provides a detailed and insightful look into the social structure and secret societies of the Kwakiutl people, and sheds light on the unique cultural practices of this Native American tribe.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.