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Biographical Relations in Amerindian and Melanesian Societies

Kuechler, S; Fortis, P; (2021) Biographical Relations in Amerindian and Melanesian Societies. In: Fortis, P and Kuechler, S, (eds.) Time and Its Object: A Perspective from Amerindian and Melanesian Societies on the Temporality of Images. (pp. 130-147). Routledge: London, UK.

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Abstract

Anthropology takes as its analytical lens the life cycle and with it the biographical relations and life projects that unfold within. This chapter discusses how artefacts in Melanesia and the Lowlands of Central and South America capture the concept of time and how shapes of time mirror shapes of relations. Marilyn Strathern had shown that forms for Melanesia – such as babies, yams and artefacts – are the outcomes and external shapes of relations. As part of their material life, Guna people living on the San Blas Archipelago and nearby coastal area of Panama carve wooden anthropomorphic figures that act as household guardians and auxiliary spirits of ritual specialists. Island Melanesia is a region with multiple island groups of varying landmass skirting mainland Papua New Guinea from the southwest to the northeast.

Type: Book chapter
Title: Biographical Relations in Amerindian and Melanesian Societies
DOI: 10.4324/9781003158806
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003158806
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher's terms and conditions.
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of S&HS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of S&HS > Dept of Anthropology
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10130622
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