The Nuer by E.E. Evans-Pritchard, 1950. Illustrated with photographs and maps

Description: "The Nuer: A Description of the Modes of Livelihood and Political Institutions of a Nilotic People" by E.E. Evans-Pritchard, 1950 edition, published by Oxford at the Clarendon Press. 271 pages. Illustrated with black & white photographs, black line drawings, maps, and diagrams. WARNING TO SENSITIVE VIEWERS: MANY OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS CONTAIN NUDITY. Acceptable Condition. There is "foxing" throughout, and one plate (Plate XVII) has become detached, and dust jacket isn't in the greatest shape. Former owner's name ("Anne Ruggles") written in tiny script on the front facing page. See photos. Anne Ruggles was the maiden name of Dr. Anne Bromberg, who received her PhD in Classical Art and Archaeology from Harvard University. For nearly 60 years, she served as a Curator for the Dallas Museum of Art where she curated over 40 DMA special exhibitions. See photos. "The Nuer: A Description of the Modes of Livelihood and Political Institutions of a Nilotic People" is a seminal anthropological work by E.E. Evans-Pritchard, published in 1940. This book provides an in-depth study of the Nuer, a pastoral people living in the marshy regions of the Nile Valley in what is now South Sudan. Here's an overview:Ethnographic Context:Evans-Pritchard conducted his fieldwork among the Nuer in the 1930s, during British colonial rule. His study was part of a broader interest in understanding societies that were markedly different from Western industrialized nations.Economic Life:The Nuer economy is predominantly based on cattle herding. Cattle are not just economic assets but are central to Nuer social, religious, and cultural life. They use cattle for milk, meat, blood, and leather, and cattle play a crucial role in marriage (as bridewealth), rituals, and as symbols of wealth and status.Political Structure:Evans-Pritchard describes the Nuer political system as an ordered anarchy, where there's no centralized authority or government in the Western sense. Instead, they have a segmentary lineage system where political allegiance is based on kinship and territorial groupings. These segments can unite in opposition to external threats or divide internally based on lineage conflicts.Social Organization:The society is organized into tribes, which are subdivided into segments or clans. The smallest segment is the village community. Lineage and age-sets are crucial, with the latter being groups where members pass through life stages together, forming strong bonds.Religion and Beliefs:The Nuer religion centers around a belief in Kwoth, a spiritual force or god, along with various spirits of the above (sky) and below (earth). There's a significant role for prophets who are seen as having special connections with the spiritual realm and can influence political and social matters.Feuds and Warfare:A notable aspect of Nuer life described by Evans-Pritchard is the feuding system. Feuds are regulated by a set of customary laws where bloodwealth (compensation in cattle) can be paid to avoid or end conflicts. This system maintains a balance within the society, preventing any single group from gaining too much power.Kinship and Marriage:Kinship ties are vital, determining social obligations, support systems, and marriage possibilities. Marriage involves complex negotiations and the transfer of cattle, which reinforces social ties between different families and lineages.Conceptual Contributions:The book introduced concepts like the "segmentary lineage system" and "structural-functionalism" in anthropology. Evans-Pritchard's analysis shows how seemingly simple societies have complex systems of order without formal government.Impact on Anthropology:"The Nuer" has been influential for its detailed ethnography and theoretical contributions. It challenged Western assumptions about political structures and offered insights into how societies can operate effectively without a state apparatus.Evans-Pritchard's work with the Nuer has been both praised for its depth and criticized for possibly oversimplifying or romanticizing certain aspects of Nuer life. Nonetheless, it remains a fundamental text in anthropology for understanding pastoral societies, kinship, political organization, and the dynamics of stateless societies.

Price: 40 USD

Location: Dallas, Texas

End Time: 2024-10-28T23:36:56.000Z

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