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 anthropologist Franz Boas in 1897. The book provides a detailed account of the social organization and secret societies of the Kwakiutl Indians, a group of indigenous people who live in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. Boas conducted extensive fieldwork among the Kwakiutl people, and his book is based on his observations and interviews with the community.The book is divided into two parts. The first part describes the social organization of the Kwakiutl people, including their kinship system, social classes, and political structure. Boas provides detailed information on the roles and responsibilities of different members of the community, such as chiefs, shamans, and commoners. He also discusses the importance of potlatches, or ceremonial feasts, in Kwakiutl society.The second part of the book focuses on the secret societies of the Kwakiutl people. These societies were exclusive groups that had their own rituals, beliefs, and practices. Boas describes the initiation ceremonies and other rituals of several secret societies, including the Hamatsa and the Tlokwali. He also discusses the role of secret societies in Kwakiutl society and their relationship with the broader community.Overall, The Social Organization and the Secret Societies of the Kwakiutl Indians is an important contribution to the field of anthropology and provides a valuable insight into the social and cultural practices of the Kwakiutl people.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.