Conflict in northern Arnhem Land

Abstract

The thesis is a study of disputes among the Gidjingali and neigh­bouring peoples of northern Arnhem Land. Chapter 1 outlines the demographic, ecological, and historical background, and I follow this with a brief account of the conditions under which I carried out fieldwork. Chapters 2, 3, and 4 present the main features of Gidjingali social organization: land-owning units and residential associations are dealt with in Chapter 2, organization for ritual purposes in Chapter 3, and the system of kinship and marriage in Chapter 4» Chapters 5 and. 6 give a classification and analysis of conflict - in the former those relating to the acquisition of wives; in the latter those over property, adultery, insult, and injury. Chapter 7 is an analysis of social control among the Gidjingali considered in the light of statements that have been made about Aboriginal government and political organization.