Choiseul Island Social Structure

Choiseul Island Social Structure offers a comprehensive exploration of the social organization and cultural practices of Choiseul Island in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate, primarily focusing on the Yarisi area. Based on extensive fieldwork conducted over 18 months between 1958 and 1961, this anthropological study reconstructs the societal framework as it was around 1900, offering insights into both past traditions and their lingering influences on the present. By examining the continuity and changes in Choiseulese society, the author navigates complex issues like the interplay of historical narratives, cultural norms, and lived experiences. The book also tackles the challenges of studying non-unilineal or ambilateral kin groups, offering a detailed analysis of how such societies manage overlapping genealogical networks and maintain discrete social groupings.

This scholarly work critically addresses theoretical debates about descent, kinship, and social processes, aiming to link cultural ideologies with real-world social actions. By redefining terminologies and methodologies, the study sheds light on the "cognatic descent problem" and contributes significantly to anthropological discussions on descent groups in the Pacific. With its careful synthesis of historical and contemporary data, the book not only provides a vivid portrayal of Choiseulese social life but also advances broader understandings of kinship systems and social dynamics. It is an invaluable resource for anthropologists, historians, and anyone interested in the complexities of Pacific Island cultures.

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 1965.