Oct. 5, 1999

1. Reading: Interactive Very Important! Read Chagnon's essay, included with CD ROM.
   1. What kind of "thing" is this interactive CD? Browse it, view the still photographs and blow-by-blow descriptions. Enjoy it!
      
      
2. The Yanomamö as a Tribal People
   1. View film The Ax Fight
      
      
3. Analysis: Social Drama
   1. Phase One: Anger / Grievance
      1. Yoinakuwa vs. Guests
   2. Phase Two: Encounter / Breach of Peace
      1. His wife, Sinab Imi, withholds plantains from Mohesiwa (a guest) and he beats her.
   3. Phase Three: Confrontation
      1. Sinabimi, now a plaintiff, weeps in her hammock
   4. Phase Four: Violence
      1. Round 1) Sinabimi's brother, Uuwa, the next plaintiff, confronts and strikes the defendant, Mohesiwa, with a club. M's bro., Torawa joins him. A standoff.
      2. Round 2a) Kebowa, Sinabimi's husband's brother, enters with an ax while Sinabimi's husband, Yoinakuwa, enters with a machete.
      3. Redressive counterpoint) Nanokawa, leader of the Guests, strides into the picture unarmed.
      4. Round 2b) Torawa changes machete for an ax. Mohesiwa strikes Kebowa a number of times with his club.
      5. Redressive counterpoint) Nanokawa chases a friend of Kebowa off camera.
      6. Round 2c) Kebowa knocks Torawa to the ground with a blow on the back with the blunt edge of the ax.
         Redressive counterpoint) Nanokawa "keeping the fight under control" (Reichlin:104) for the next 15 feet of film (foot #175 to 190.2).
      7. Round 2d) The coup de grace fells Torawa, with a blow to his back.
   5. Phase Five: Outcome
      1. Withdrawal; a standoff of grudging reconciliation
      2. Redressive Action (Subject of Tapir Distribution)
      3. Flight: The guests leave town

Oct. 7

1. Central Questions about human organization at the tribal level
   1. How do you keep conflict, warfare, homicides, "under control" without judges, police, or a full-time state?
      1. Yanomamö: fight, flight, alliances...almost no control
      2. Highly ritualized blood feud centering on adult male captives. (Tupinamba, Iroquois, etc.)
      3. Ritualized seasonal warfare with emphasis on score and booty. (Cheyenne)
      4. Clear Kin Alliance System with strongly accepted local mediators (Nuer Leopard Skin Chief)
      5. Or you convert to competition through feasting
   2. How far can you push feasting to control conflict and organize society?
   3. How far can you push Kinship to organize communities?
   4. How far can associations organize kin groups, control conflicts, and give shape to "republican" tribes?
      
      
2. Tapir distribution as Redressive Action
   1. View the film
   2. Analysis
      1. Kinship connections
         1. Moawa, Host Headman, is fa bro son (parallel cousins = "brothers") to Nanokawa, Guest Headman, whose sister's husband is Wadeshiwa (host--- who invited Guests). They are parents of Mohesiwa, main defendant.
            Wadeshiwa is "bro-in-law" to Moawa.
            W's bro, Daramasiwa, is also his bro-in-law.
      2. Activity Sequence
         1. displaying carcass, giving it away, roasting it, giving away food, eating together.
      3. As Ritual
         1. Separation
         2. Transition
         3. Reincorporation