Of fear and friendship: Amazonian sociality beyond kinship and affinity

Author: Santos-Granero, Fernando

Source: The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, Volume 13, Number 1, March 2007 , pp. 1-18(18)

Publisher: Blackwell Publishing

Key:
Free Content - Free Content
New Content - New Content
Subscribed Content - Subscribed Content
Free Trial Content - Free Trial Content

Abstract:

The article explores the nature of sociality and alterity in indigenous Amazonia. If native Amazonian sociality is all about predatory affinity or, alternatively, convivial consanguinity, why do native Amazonians constantly strive to establish social relationships with people with whom they are related neither as kin nor as affines? The comparative analysis of intertribal trading partnerships, shamanic networks, and mystical associations allows the author to examine the mechanisms by which hostile or potentially hostile relations between strangers - non-relatives - are transformed into relations of amicability. Special emphasis is placed on the role played by `trust' and `spaces of trust' in the creation of non-kin-based social networks. In brief the article analyses the little-studied issue of `friendship', viewing it as an alternative to kinship and affinity in the construction of Amerindian societies and multi-ethnic polities.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9655.2007.00410.x

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$41.89 plus tax      Refund Policy

 

OR

Back to top

Key:
Free Content - Free Content
New Content - New Content
Subscribed Content - Subscribed Content
Free Trial Content - Free Trial Content
Share this item with others: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
Page Help Click here for Page Help
Shopping cart
Tools
Sign in






Need to register?
Sign up here
Text size: A | A | A | A