Raramuri Souls: Knowledge and Social Process in Northern Mexico

(Paperback)

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In his sensitive portrayal of the Raramuri (or Tarahumara) Indians, Merrill examines the ways in which a society, lacking formal educational institutions, produces and transmits its basic knowledge about the world.

Reviews

A well-written book about the knowledge of Tarahumara Indians in Northwest Mexico... It stands above many other worldview ethnographies in the depth and clarity of its thinking about thinking. Latin American Anthropology Review Excellent... Merrill explores the most basic tenets of Raramuri thought and action by elucidating the concepts of the soul and the contexts in which this theoretical knowledge manifests its representation, reproduction, and variation... Merrill leads his readers on a journey through Raramuri philosophy, cosmology, and ritual, which, prior to this study, have largely been uncharted regions of Raramuri worldview. Man Raramuri Souls provides a great deal of new information about Tarahumara (Raramuri) life, develops a theory of cultural reproduction versus social reproduction, and synthesizes mentalist and practice-orientation anthropologies in a new understanding of sociocultural processes... The author provides an excellent fifty-page orientation chapter. Thus, the book could be a welcome addition to introductory courses as well as to courses in Middle American ethnology, medical and social anthropology, and culture change. American Anthropologist An excellent ethnography of a fascinating people. Kiva As ethnography, Merrill's book is outstanding. He furthers our understanding of the Raramuri and does so in an engaging fashion. His informants come alive... For those interested in the Indians of Mexico, practice in anthropology and folklore, or native philosophy and knowledge, Raramuri Souls is an excellent resource. Folklore Forum

Author Bio

William L. Merrill is a curator of North American ethnology in the Department of Anthropology at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History.