Bernard Juillerat Research Director,C.N.R.S., Paris Translated from the French by Nora Scott

• General IntroductionThe Geographical and Cultural Setting, The Linguistic Setting: The Eri (Amanab), Transcription of Amanab Terms Part I: Social Groups: Structures, Dynamics and Representations 1 Society and Local Groups 2 Dual Organization 3 From Dualism to Patrilineal Units 4 Household and Family Part II: Social Relations and Symbolic Function in Yafar Social Economy 5 Territory and Land Horticulture-Arboriculture 7 Foraging and Husbandry 8 Exchange and Circulation of Goods Among the Eri, Part III: Sexuality, Symbolic Reproduction and Social Continuity 9 Sexuality, Procreation and Powers 10 Alliance Structures and Matrimonial Behaviours 11 Kinship and its Representations 12 Individual Identity and Social Ontogeny 13 Hidden Powers From Religious Office to Political Authority14 Bad Magic, Bow or Fighting Stick, Part IV: Fracture and Change 15 Contact: Colonization, Independence and Identity

'A fine demonstration of what anthropology is and what it is meant to achieve ... Juillerat has made a monumental contribution to anthropology not only in regard to the excellence of his analysis as such but more so, because his work completes and refines previous works undertaken by others. It is hoped that Juillerat's honest commitment to anthropology will inspire others to dig deeper into their subject, as he proposes, and to shed their theoretical armour.'Journal of Polynesian Society'A sustained level of precision, elegance, and powerful empirical detail is maintained throughout.'American Anthropologist'a pioneering effort to describe and analyse the cultural richness of the peoples in the West Sepik area. It is also beautifully written, rich in ethnographic detail and well produced, with many plates and figures. The decision by the editors of Berg's Explorations in Anthropology series to include this book in their list of outstanding works is fully appropriate.'B