Omaha sociology (1884 N 03 / 1881-1882 (pages 205-370))

Name: Omaha sociology (1884 N 03 / 1881-1882 (pages 205-370))
Author: James Owen Dorsey

By James Owen Dorsey

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Archaeology & Anthropology

About This Book

The work presents a detailed ethnographic account of the Omaha people, beginning with a phonetic orthography and migration traditions and proceeding to systematic descriptions of political organization, the gentile (clan) structure, and roles within the state. It lays out kinship categories and marriage rules, domestic life and rites of passage, and ceremonial practices centered on sacred pipes and poles. Economic activities such as hunting, fishing, cultivation, food and clothing production are described alongside war customs, games, corporate societies, religious beliefs, and legal norms governing property, family, and intergroup relations.

About the Author

James Owen Dorsey

James Owen Dorsey was an American ethnologist and linguist known for his extensive work on Native American cultures, particularly those of the Siouan language family. He served as a key figure in the Bureau of Ethnology, where he contributed to the understanding of indigenous traditions and languages through detailed reports and studies. His notable works include "A Study of Siouan Cults," which explores the religious practices of the Siouan tribes, and "Omaha Dwellings, Furniture and Implements," which provides insights into the material culture of the Omaha people. Dorsey's research has been instrumental in preserving the knowledge of Native American heritage.