Social Origins and Primal Law

Name: Social Origins and Primal Law
Author: Andrew Lang

By Andrew Lang

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About This Book

The volume pairs an islander's ethnographic account with a scholarly essay that surveys theories about the origins of marriage, family organization, and totemic clan systems. One part reports customs and kinship among Pacific island peoples and proposes a theory linking early sexual jealousy to the emergence of exogamous family units. The introductory sections review competing hypotheses—promiscuity, group marriage, moiety and totemic divisions—clarify technical terms, and argue for the primacy of small domestic circles over large communal hordes. The work traces how totemic names, exogamy, and kin terminology may have been reshaped into formal marital rules.

About the Author

Andrew Lang

Andrew Lang was a Scottish poet, novelist, and literary critic, known for his contributions to folklore and mythology. He is perhaps best recognized for his work "A Collection of Ballads," which showcases his interest in traditional narratives. Lang was a prolific writer, producing numerous essays and books on various subjects, including history and literature. His literary style often blended humor with scholarly insight, making his works accessible to a broad audience. In addition to his original writings, he is celebrated for his role in popularizing fairy tales through his collections, which have become integral to the study of folklore.