Mehinaku
The Drama of Daily Life in a Brazilian Indian Village
Nonfiction, History, Americas, South America, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Anthropology
| Author: | Thomas Gregor | ISBN: | 9780226150338 |
| Publisher: | University of Chicago Press | Publication: | February 6, 2009 |
| Imprint: | University of Chicago Press | Language: | English |
| Author: | Thomas Gregor |
| ISBN: | 9780226150338 |
| Publisher: | University of Chicago Press |
| Publication: | February 6, 2009 |
| Imprint: | University of Chicago Press |
| Language: | English |
Thomas Gregor sees the Mehinaku Indians of central Brazil as performers of roles, engaged in an ongoing improvisational drama of community life. The layout of the village and the architecture of the houses make the community a natural theater in the round, rendering the villagers' actions highly visible and audible. Lacking privacy, the Mehinaku have become masters of stagecraft and impression management, enthusiastically publicizing their good citizenship while ingeniously covering up such embarrassments as extramarital affairs and theft.
Thomas Gregor sees the Mehinaku Indians of central Brazil as performers of roles, engaged in an ongoing improvisational drama of community life. The layout of the village and the architecture of the houses make the community a natural theater in the round, rendering the villagers' actions highly visible and audible. Lacking privacy, the Mehinaku have become masters of stagecraft and impression management, enthusiastically publicizing their good citizenship while ingeniously covering up such embarrassments as extramarital affairs and theft.
