The Anthropology of Love and Anger : The Aesthetics of Conviviality in Native Amazonia

The Anthropology of Love and Anger questions the very foundations of western sociological thought. In their examination of indigenous peoples from across the South American continent, the contributors to this volume have come to realise that western thought does not possess the vocabulary to define even the fundamentals of indigenous thought and practice. The dualisms of public and private, political and domestic, individual and collective, even male and female, in which western anthropology was founded cannot legitimately be applied to peoples whose 'sociality' is based on an 'aesthetics of community'. For indigenous people success is measured by the extent to which conviviality, (all that is peaceful, harmonious and sociable) has been attained. Yet conviviality is not just reliant on love and good but instead on an even balance between all that is constructive, love, and all that is destructive, anger. With case studies from across the South American region, ranging from the (so-called) fierce Yanomami of Venezuela and Brazil to the Enxet of Paraguay, and with discussions on topics from the efficacy of laughter, the role of language, anger as a marker of love and even homesickness, The Anthropology of Love and Anger is a seminal, fascinating work which should be read by all students and academics in the post-colonial world. Can we judge Amerindian social behaviour by our own standards? To what extent is social success based on love and anger in the Amazon region?The Anthropology of Love and Anger provides remarkable evidence that Anthropology is a thriving subject. In this highly original discussion the editors have brought together papers that question the very foundations of western sociological thought.In their examination of the 'social structure', or rather 'sociality' (the former expression being inapplicable in this context) of indigenous peoples from across the South American continent, the contributors have come to realise that western thought does not possess the vocabulary to define the very fundamentals of indigenous thought and practice. The dualisms of public and private, political and domestic, individual and collective, even male and female, in which western Anthropology was founded cannot legitimately be applied to peoples whose 'sociality' is based on an 'aesthetics of community'.For indigenous peoples success is measured by the extent to which conviviality, (all that is peaceful, harmonious and sociable) has been attained. Yet it is not just a conviviality or 'sociality' which relies on love and good but instead it relies heavily on an even balance between all that is constructive, love, and all that is destructive, anger. This sociability is as much reliant on managing the negative features of communal living, anger, jealousy, hate and greed as it is in promoting the positive.With case studies from across the South American region, ranging from the (so-called) fierce Yanomami of Venezuela and Brazil to the Enxet of Paraguay, and with discussions on topics from the efficacy of laughter, the role of language, anger as a marker of love and even homesickness, The Anthropology of Love and Anger is a seminal, fascinating work which should be read by all students and academics in the post-colonial world. This unique work, draws on a close analysis of the egalitarian communal way some Amazonian peoples live to show how they produce and maintain a deeply cherished, tranquil and intimate life. The contributors reveal that (western) representations of these cultures are more often than not misleading or incorrect, labeling these peoples as primitive, "warlike" and fierce when in fact their lives are based on love and conviviality.With case studies from across the South American region, ranging from the Yanomami of Venezuela and Brazil to the Enxet of Paraguay, and discussions on a vast array of topics from the effects of laughter, the role of language, and homesickness, The Anthropology of Love and Anger will be fascinating reading for all those with an interest in post-colonial studies and anthropology. This Text Questions The Very Foundations Of Western Sociological Thought. It Includes Case Studies From Across The South American Region, Ranging From The Fierce Yanomami Of Venezuela And Brazil To The Enxet Of Paraguay. Questions the very foundations of western sociological thought. A fascinating work that contains case studies from across South America and discussions on topics such as the efficacy of laughter The Uitoto and other neighbouring groups from the Colombo-Peruvian Amazon used not to consume mineral salt - sodium salt, NaCl.