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.
By:
Walter Edmund Roth
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 229mm,
Width: 152mm,
Spine: 13mm
Weight: 340g
ISBN: 9781108006170
ISBN 10: 1108006175
Series: Cambridge Library Collection - Linguistics
Pages: 248
Publication Date: 21 January 2010
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
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.
