Raramuri Souls

William L. Merrill is a curator of North American ethnology in the Department of Anthropology at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History.

A well-written book about the knowledge of Tarahumara Indians in Northwest Mexico... It stands above many other worldview ethnographies in the depth and clarity of its thinking about thinking. Latin American Anthropology Review Excellent... Merrill explores the most basic tenets of Raramuri thought and action by elucidating the concepts of the soul and the contexts in which this theoretical knowledge manifests its representation, reproduction, and variation... Merrill leads his readers on a journey through Raramuri philosophy, cosmology, and ritual, which, prior to this study, have largely been uncharted regions of Raramuri worldview. Man Raramuri Souls provides a great deal of new information about Tarahumara (Raramuri) life, develops a theory of cultural reproduction versus social reproduction, and synthesizes mentalist and practice-orientation anthropologies in a new understanding of sociocultural processes... The author provides an excellent fifty-page orientation chapter. Thus, the book could be a welcome addition to introductory courses as well as to courses in Middle American ethnology, medical and social anthropology, and culture change. American Anthropologist An excellent ethnography of a fascinating people. Kiva As ethnography, Merrill's book is outstanding. He furthers our understanding of the Raramuri and does so in an engaging fashion. His informants come alive... For those interested in the Indians of Mexico, practice in anthropology and folklore, or native philosophy and knowledge, Raramuri Souls is an excellent resource. Folklore Forum

• Part 1 1. Raramuri Knowledge Chapter 2 Exploring Raramuri Knowledge Chapter 3 Variation, Representation, and the Reproduction of Knowledge Part 4 2. The Raramuri Chapter 5 Rejogochi, 1987 Chapter 6 Basihuare in Raramuri History Chapter 7 The Emergence of Contemporary Raramuri Culture Part 8 3. Raramuri Sermons and the Reproduction of Knowledge Chapter 9 The Reproduction of Knowledge Chapter 10 The Public Presentation of Theoretical Knowledge Part 11 4. The Concept of Soul Chapter 12 Souls in the Raramuri Universe Chapter 13 Individual Variation in the Concept of Soul Chapter 14 The Production of Variation and Consensus Part 15 5. Curing Practices Chapter 16 Raramuri Curing Practices Chapter 17 Curing Practices and the Concept of Soul Part 18 6. Death Practices Chapter 19 Ideas about Death and the Dead Chapter 20 Death Rituals Chapter 21 Speeches to the Dead Chapter 22 Death Practices and the Concept of Soul Part 23 7. Conclusions