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The Plains Cree - An Ethnographic, Historical, and Comparative Study

The Plains Cree

An Ethnographic, Historical, and Comparative Study

Paperback : 9780889770133, 400 pages, March 1978

Table of contents

Preface
Editor’s Note
PART ONE
THE PLAINS CREE: A HISTORICAL AND ETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY
INTRODUCTION

TRIBAL DISTRIBUTION
Terrain
Band Divisions
THE WESTWARD MOVEMENT
First Contacts, 1640-1690
The Establishments of Fur Trade, 1690-1740
Conquest of the Western Forests, 1740-1820
Occupation of the Plains, 1820-1880
Summary
THE MAINSTAYS OF PLAINS CREE ECONOMY
The Buffalo
The Horse
The Dog
Other Elements of Economic Life
MANUFACTURES AND ARTIFACTS
Clothing
Personal Adornment
Housing
Ceremonial Structures
Houshold Furnishings and Utensils
Weapons
Smoking Utensils
Musical Instruments
Transport Devices
Techniques of Ornamentation
SOCIAL LIFE
The Basis of Band Division
Chieftainship
Rank and Societies
Camp Life
Crime and Justice
Kinship
Games
THE INDIVIDUAL LIFE CYCLE
Birth
Names
Childhood
Puberty and Women’s Observances
Marriage
Wife Exchange
Death, Burial, and Mourning
RELIGION AND CEREMONIALISM
Supernaturals
Soul and Afterworld
The Vision Quest
Shamanism
Bundles
Vision Prerogatives
Beliefs
CEREMONIALISM
Vowed Ceremonies
Secular Dances
Bear Ceremonialism
Eagle Ceremonialism
First Event Ceremonialism
Dog Feast
Tipi Painting
Offering Pole
The Elements of Ritualism
WARFARE
Motives
Procedure of the Raid
The Return
Scalping
War Exploits
Vengeance Party
Insignia
Metaphor of Battle
A War Record
PART TWO
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE PLAINS CREE CULTURE
THE PROBLEM

THE EASTERN AFFILIATIONS OF PLAINS CREE CULTURE
MATERIAL CULTURE AND ECONOMIC LIFE
Housing
Ceremonial Structures
Household Furnishings and Utensils
Dress
Personal Adornment
The Food Quest
Food Preparation
Transport
Weapons
Manufactures
Musical Instruments
SOCIAL ORGANIZATION
Chieftainship
Societies
Rank and Prestige
THE INDIVIDUAL LIFE CYCLE
Birth
Puberty
Marriage
Death, Burial, Mourning
RELIGION AND CEREMONIALISM
Supernatural
The Vision Quest
Shamanism
Hunting Observances
Elements of Ritualism
Ceremonialism
Secular Dances, Minor Ceremonialism, Beliefs
WARFARE
SUMMARY
THE PLAINS AFFILIATIONS OF PLAINS CREE CULTURE
MATERIAL CULTURE AND ECONOMIC LIFE
Housing
Household Furnishings
Dress
Personal Adornment
The Food Quest
Food Preparation
Transport
Weapons
Manufactures
Musical Instruments
SOCIAL ORGANIZATION
The Individual Life Cycle
RELIGION AND CEREMONIALISM
WARFARE
SUMMARY
PART THREE
CONCLUSIONS
APPENDIX
A. Month Names and Other Terminologies
B. A Vision Experience and its Consequences
C. Field Sketches
BIBLIOGRAPHY

Description

First published in 1940, David Mandelbaum's study remains the definitive account of the Plains Cree. In this revised edition, first reprinted in 1978, Part One contains the original material dealing with Plains Cree history and ethnology. Part Two is a two-fold comparative study: the first section compares the Plains Cree to other groups east of the Plains: the Eastern Cree, various Ojibwa groups, the bands of the Labrador Peninsula, the Menomini, and other Central Woodlands tribes; the second section compares Plains Cree culture to other Plains tribes, mainly those of the northern Plains.