Adrian Mayer - Böcker

Caste and Kinship in Central India: A Village and Its Region offers an in-depth exploration of the intricate social dynamics within a multi-caste village and its surrounding region. The book delves into the pivotal role of caste as the foundational axis of political, economic, and kinship structures in Indian village life. It meticulously unpacks the layered relationships between caste, subcaste, and kinship, emphasizing the local and regional frameworks within which these social units operate. The analysis reveals three levels of caste membership—the kindred of cooperation, kindred of recognition, and broader subcaste—all of which influence individuals' social roles and interactions. Through this nuanced lens, the study sheds light on the mechanisms of social control, marriage alliances, and group interactions, providing a comprehensive account of how caste functions both within and beyond the village boundaries.This scholarly work also addresses the broader implications of caste in regional and inter-village contexts, challenging the conventional notion of the village as a self-contained entity. By distinguishing between intra-caste (subcaste-based) and inter-caste dynamics, the book highlights how individuals navigate their dual identities as members of both caste and subcaste, influenced by patrilineal and exogamous practices. The study’s innovative approach bridges local and regional analyses, offering a fresh perspective on caste systems as both static and adaptive entities within India's socio-cultural landscape. This book is an essential resource for scholars of anthropology, sociology, and South Asian studies seeking a deeper understanding of caste’s multifaceted role in shaping community life.This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1960.

Peasants in the Pacific: A Study of Fiji Indian Rural Society, Second Edition delves deeply into the lives and transformations of the Fiji Indian rural community. Initially focused on the observations made during fieldwork in the early 1950s, this edition offers additional insights from a return visit in 1971, enriching the analysis of social and economic changes. The book captures the evolution of settlements shaped by the legacies of Indian indenture, exploring their historical, economic, and cultural fabric. From the dominance of sugarcane farming to the rising trend of part-time farming paired with urban employment, the study documents the dynamic interplay between tradition and modernity in these communities. Through meticulous ethnographic detail, the author examines the integration of caste, kinship, and cultural practices in shaping rural life in Fiji, alongside the development of new social structures adapted to local conditions.The book also addresses the broader implications of this case study, offering comparative insights into overseas Indian communities and their social organization. It explores how the transition from an indentured labor system to independent farming and diversified livelihoods reshaped societal norms, economic patterns, and power structures. With its vivid portrayal of village life, communal interactions, and the enduring influence of cultural heritage, Peasants in the Pacific provides a vital resource for understanding the complexities of rural societies within the context of colonial legacies and modern economic pressures. This edition, enriched by reflective updates and the author's extensive engagement with local residents and institutions, serves as a key contribution to both Pacific studies and the broader field of migration and diaspora research.This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1973.

Caste and Kinship in Central India: A Village and Its Region offers an in-depth exploration of the intricate social dynamics within a multi-caste village and its surrounding region. The book delves into the pivotal role of caste as the foundational axis of political, economic, and kinship structures in Indian village life. It meticulously unpacks the layered relationships between caste, subcaste, and kinship, emphasizing the local and regional frameworks within which these social units operate. The analysis reveals three levels of caste membership—the kindred of cooperation, kindred of recognition, and broader subcaste—all of which influence individuals' social roles and interactions. Through this nuanced lens, the study sheds light on the mechanisms of social control, marriage alliances, and group interactions, providing a comprehensive account of how caste functions both within and beyond the village boundaries.This scholarly work also addresses the broader implications of caste in regional and inter-village contexts, challenging the conventional notion of the village as a self-contained entity. By distinguishing between intra-caste (subcaste-based) and inter-caste dynamics, the book highlights how individuals navigate their dual identities as members of both caste and subcaste, influenced by patrilineal and exogamous practices. The study’s innovative approach bridges local and regional analyses, offering a fresh perspective on caste systems as both static and adaptive entities within India's socio-cultural landscape. This book is an essential resource for scholars of anthropology, sociology, and South Asian studies seeking a deeper understanding of caste’s multifaceted role in shaping community life.This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1960.

Peasants in the Pacific: A Study of Fiji Indian Rural Society, Second Edition delves deeply into the lives and transformations of the Fiji Indian rural community. Initially focused on the observations made during fieldwork in the early 1950s, this edition offers additional insights from a return visit in 1971, enriching the analysis of social and economic changes. The book captures the evolution of settlements shaped by the legacies of Indian indenture, exploring their historical, economic, and cultural fabric. From the dominance of sugarcane farming to the rising trend of part-time farming paired with urban employment, the study documents the dynamic interplay between tradition and modernity in these communities. Through meticulous ethnographic detail, the author examines the integration of caste, kinship, and cultural practices in shaping rural life in Fiji, alongside the development of new social structures adapted to local conditions.The book also addresses the broader implications of this case study, offering comparative insights into overseas Indian communities and their social organization. It explores how the transition from an indentured labor system to independent farming and diversified livelihoods reshaped societal norms, economic patterns, and power structures. With its vivid portrayal of village life, communal interactions, and the enduring influence of cultural heritage, Peasants in the Pacific provides a vital resource for understanding the complexities of rural societies within the context of colonial legacies and modern economic pressures. This edition, enriched by reflective updates and the author's extensive engagement with local residents and institutions, serves as a key contribution to both Pacific studies and the broader field of migration and diaspora research.This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1973.