The cognatic descent system of the Huli of Papua

Abstract

The data presented in this thesis were gathered during two field trips - the first as a research student at the Australian National University, and the second as the Walter Mersh Strong Fellow at the University of Sydney. The first period lasted from April, 1955 until June, 1956 and the second from June, 1959 until February, 1960. I am grateful to both universities for their financial support. I acknowledge also with gratitude the hospitality and practical help I received from officers of the Papua and New Guinea Administration and from members of the Methodist Overseas Mission at Tari headed by the Reverend Roland Barnes. My thanks are due also to Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Rule of the Unevangelized Field Mission who kindly gave me a copy of their Huli grammar. This thesis was written under the supervision of Professor J. A. Barnes of the Department of Anthropology, Australian National University, and I thank him for his help and patient interest. I have also profited greatly from discussions with Professor W. R.Geddes, and Doctors H.Ian Hogbin, M.J.Meggitt and R.N.H.Bulmer. Last but not least, I acknowledge the kindness and patience of my informants. Show more