Life Among the Yanomami

John F. Peters is a professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Wilfrid Laurier University, where he initiated and now coordinates the Development and International Studies Program. He is co-author of The Population Dynamics of the Mucajai Yanomami.

• Preface List of Maps and Figures Glossary of Terms 1. Yanomami, Xilixana, and the Anthropological Approach Commonalities and Contrasts The Clash of Cultures The Yanomami: Why Study Them? Cross-Cultural Research: The Academic Component The Author's Own Journey Recent Xilixana History: The Basics   Part I. The Xilixana Way of Life 2. Field Entry, Language-Learning and Cultural Surprises The Challenge of Language Contrasts in Culture: Startling Differences Data-Gathering: Pursuits of Peril and Pleasure The Researcher in the Field 3. Village Life and Social Culture: Basic Patterns Village Composition and Decision-Making Death, Burial, and Cremation The Yãimo Village Fissions, Population, and Distribution 4. Everyday Life: Food and Child Care, Hunting and Fishing Daily Village Life Hunting and Fishing The Products of the Land Agriculture The Tools of Life 5. Family and Social Organization Relationship Terminology and Acceptable Sexual Partners Marriage Feuds Conception and Birthing Bride Service and Bride Payment Marriage Fragility and Termination Gender Roles and the Status of Women 6. Socialization and Life Stages Stage I: Total Dependence Stage II: Early Childhood Stage III: Later Childhood Stage IV: Premarriage; and Puberty and Marriage Stage V: Male First Family of Procreation; Female Childbearing and Childrearing Stage VI: Male Second Family of Procreation; Female Post-Childrearing Stage VII: Appendage Summary of Stages in the Life Cycle 7. Myths, Spirits and Magic Myths Spirits Alawalik Substances Taboos Part II. Past and Present: The Xilixana Then and Now 8. The Precontact Period: A Time of Isolation Learning Xilixana History The Early History The Xilixana and Other Encounters Quest for Tools 9. Postcontact History: Enter the Missionaries Missionary Contact with the Xilixana Land Expedition to the Aica The Further History of the Mission Organization Missionary Relations 10. The Missionary Presence: Translation, Literacy and Social Effects Daily Life and Mission Tasks Maintaining the Mission Station Literacy Teaching The Impact of Christian Teaching The Missionary Presence: Mixed Results 11. "Warfare," Raids, and Revenge The Roots of "Warfare" Intervillage Killings The Motivations for Violence and Warfare Clashes with Miners The Cultural Norms of Violence Part III. Social Change 12. Adaptation in a Precapitalist Society: Agents of Change The Brazilian Influence Other Yanomami Missionaries Missionaries and the Dynamics of Change 13. Health as an Agent of Change Xilixana Modes of Treating Illness Missionaries and Health Care Health Treatment Facilities and Organizations The Treatment of Diseases The Struggle for Yanomami Health Control: Remaining Questions 14. Broader Considerations in the Study of Social Change The Dynamics of Yanomami Social Change Change Agents, and Direct Effects Exchange and Reciprocity 15. Reflections on Social Change among the Yanomami Culture and Social Change Social Change: Problems, Bias, and Ethics A response to Change among the Yanomami The Clash of Values Revisited Conclusion Appendix: Language-Learning References Index