Ethnological Studies among the North-West-Central Queensland Aborigines

Walter E. Roth's 1897 study of the Aborigines of North-West-Central Queensland was among the first of its kind in Australia, and established his international reputation as a leading anthropologist and ethnologist. Roth, a physician who was later appointed 'protector of Aboriginals' by the government, gained the confidence and trust of the Aboriginal people among whom he lived, and tried to stop the exploitation and injustice they suffered, in the face of fierce political opposition. His book provides a fascinating and closely observed account of the Aborigines' traditional way of life, including their language, kinship and customs. It describes social organisation, food, tools and weapons, personal decoration, travel and trade, birth and death, and even cannibalism. Containing over 430 illustrations and a glossary summarising key vocabulary, this thoroughly-researched book is widely recognised as a valuable and enduring anthropological record.

Contents: Preface; Bibliography; 1. The spoken language of the Pitta-Pitta aboriginals; 2. Tabular comparison between various selected words; 3. Social and individual nomenclature; 4. The expression of ideas by manual signs; 5. The search for food; 6. Domestic implements and utensils; 7. Personal ornamentation and decoration; 8. Recreation; 9. Travel, trade and barter; 10. The maintenance of law and order; 11. Disease, accident, death; 12. Rain-making; 13. Ethno-pornography; Index and glossary.

ISBN: 9781108006170
Author: Roth, Walter Edmund
Publication date: 21/01/2010
Format: Paperback
Pages: 248
Dimension: 244mm X 170mm