Ways of Baloma Rethinking Magic and Kinship From the Trobriands by Mark S. Mosko

Description: FREE SHIPPING UK WIDE Ways of Baloma Rethinking Magic and Kinship From the Trobriands by Mark S. Mosko Bronislaw Malinowskis path-breaking research in the Trobriand Islands shaped much of modern anthropologys disciplinary paradigm. Yet many conundrums remain. For example, Malinowski asserted that baloma spirits of the dead were responsible for procreation but had limited influence on their living descendants in magic and other matters, claims largely unchallenged by subsequent field investigators, until now. Based on extended fieldwork at Omarakana village—home of the Tabalu "Paramount Chief"—Mark S. Mosko argues instead that these and virtually all contexts of indigenous sociality are conceived as sacrificial reciprocities between the mirror worlds that baloma and humans inhabit. Informed by a synthesis of Stratherns model of "dividual personhood" and Lévy-Bruhls theory of "participation," Mosko upends a century of discussion and debate extending from Malinowski to anthropologys other leading thinkers. His account of the intimate interdependencies of humans and spirits in the cosmic generation and coordination of "life" (momova) and "death" (kaliga) strikes at the nexus of anthropologys received wisdom, and Ways of Baloma will inevitably lead practitioners and students to reflect anew on the disciplines multifold theories of personhood, ritual agency, and sociality. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Author Biography Mark S. Mosko is professor emeritus in the Department of Anthropology in the School of Culture, History, and Language at the College of Asia and the Pacific at the Australian National University. Review "Mark S. Mosko distinguishes himself as one of the leaders of contemporary Pacific anthropology. . . . With compelling theoretical and conceptual reflections, as well as twenty-first century ethnographic and analytical ambitions, Ways of Baloma is a remarkable work worthy of the classics. . ."-- "Anthropologie et Sociétés (translated from French)""The Trobriand Islanders are one of the most thoroughly studied societies in the world. Is it possible, though, that after a century of fieldwork by some of anthropologys most illustrious figures, including Annette Weiner and the master Bronislaw Malinowski himself, there is still much that has been misunderstood or overlooked? Mark Mosko makes a convincing case that some core aspects of Trobriand culture have eluded us and that comprehending those aspects solves major questions or mysteries in Trobriand ethnography."-- "Reading Religion""Ways of Baloma is thick description articulated through one of the most sustained theoretical discussions our times allow. . . . This book is an anthropology as it was meant to be, intense scholarship and searching ethnography. For these times it is gripping in its level of interaction between the analyst and his subjects. . . . As we all know, one of the marvels of Malinowskis work was that for decades people could make arguments with it somewhat askance to Malinowskis own theoretical commitments. For some anthropologists, this quality became the standard to replicate: create a coherent argument with a rich body of data and then let time do the re-telling. By this standard Mosko has created a sequel to Malinowskis ethnography. This work is rich enough to be handled somewhat differently by different yet sympathetic readers." -- "Anthropological Forum""Bronislaw Malinowskis work on the Trobriand Islands of Melanesia is still respected, though not sacrosanct, a century after he conducted it. Succeeding anthropologists amplified or challenged his analyses and investigated areas he overlooked. Annette Wiener, for example, focused on the neglected topic of gender and Trobriand women in Women of Value, Men of Renown (1976). Mosko is the most recent Trobriand ethnographer, and the most comprehensive. He investigates the role of magic in the present, animated by Malinowskis recognition that magic infused every area of Trobriand life. Nine chapters cover classic topics such as cosmology, mortuary ritual, reproduction, taboo, rank, kinship, marriage rules, and chiefly succession. Mosko generously acknowledges his Trobriand collaborators and the Trobriand work of other anthropologists. Most importantly, his research demonstrates the way that a century of anthropological theory and research, along with changing contexts and interpretive frameworks, have allowed new insights about Trobriand kinship, personhood, magico-religious beliefs, Christian conversion, and the relationship between humans and spirits. The author concludes that traditional beliefs and practices surrounding kinship and magic have remained material to Trobriand life through a century of colonial and postcolonial transformation. This important book is mandatory for all four-year and university research collections. Essential."-- "Choice" Review Quote " The Trobriand Islanders are one of the most thoroughly studied societies in the world. Is it possible, though, that after a century of fieldwork by some of anthropologys most illustrious figures, including Annette Weiner and the master Bronislaw Malinowski himself, there is still much that has been misunderstood or overlooked? Mark Mosko makes a convincing case that some core aspects of Trobriand culture have eluded us and that comprehending those aspects solves major questions or mysteries in Trobriand ethnography." Details ISBN0997367563 Author Mark S. Mosko Publisher HAU Year 2017 ISBN-10 0997367563 ISBN-13 9780997367560 Format Paperback Imprint HAU Subtitle Rethinking Magic and Kinship from the Trobriands Place of Publication IL Country of Publication United States Illustrations 25 halftones, 4 line drawings Media Book Short Title Ways of Baloma Language English UK Release Date 2017-12-08 Pages 516 Publication Date 2017-11-15 AU Release Date 2017-11-15 NZ Release Date 2017-11-15 US Release Date 2017-11-15 DEWEY 305.80099541 Audience Professional & Vocational We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! 30 DAY RETURN POLICY No questions asked, 30 day returns! FREE DELIVERY No matter where you are in the UK, delivery is free. SECURE PAYMENT Peace of mind by paying through PayPal and eBay Buyer Protection TheNile_Item_ID:161708675;

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