{"product_id":"tikopia-ritual-and-belief-classic-ethnography-reissued","title":"Tikopia Ritual and Belief - Classic Ethnography Reissued","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Tikopia Ritual and Belief, the reviewer recommends the book to readers seeking a thoughtful, field-based account of Polynesian religious life. Raymond Firth's essays, first published in 1967 and gathered here in the Routledge Revivals edition, present sustained observation of a people who maintained traditional institutions long after neighboring groups had converted to Christianity. The single biggest reason to buy is the detailed, comparative discussion of rites, totemism and beliefs about the soul that still informs social anthropology and cultural studies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFieldwork-based essays:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book collects findings from three expeditions, offering direct observation rather than secondhand summaries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRitual and belief analysis:\u003c\/strong\u003e Detailed chapters examine rites, totemism and magic, giving readers concrete case studies for theoretical issues.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiscussion of afterworld beliefs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Essays exploring beliefs in the fate of the soul provide insight into Tikopia cosmology and mourning practices.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCross-disciplinary links:\u003c\/strong\u003e Studies of rumour, suicide and spirit mediumship connect social anthropology to psychological and cultural explanations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical perspective:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book situates Tikopia customs within the recent history of Christian conversion and remaining pagan practices.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnthropology students, researchers in Pacific studies and readers interested in ritual, religion and comparative social theory will find this collection especially valuable. The book is best used as a case-study source for seminars or for readers wanting nuanced primary-voice ethnography rather than broad survey texts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a modern synthesis with contemporary theoretical jargon or a heavily illustrated field guide should look elsewhere; the focus here is on essays and interpretation rather than visuals or up-to-the-minute theoretical debates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRich, field-based description that illuminates Polynesian ritual and belief in depth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThoughtful comparative treatments that contribute to debates on totemism and magic.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes essays linking social anthropology with psychological topics like rumour and suicide.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe material reflects fieldwork and theoretical language of its time, so readers may need to contextualize it for contemporary frameworks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTikopia Ritual and Belief (Routledge Revivals)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRaymond Firth\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFirst published\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1967\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEdition\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRoutledge Revivals reissue\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eContent focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRites, totemism, magic, afterworld beliefs, rumour, suicide, spirit mediumship\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGeographic focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTikopia, Polynesia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRaymond Firth's Tikopia Ritual and Belief remains a valuable ethnographic resource for anyone studying Polynesian religion or ritual practice; its field-based essays and cross-disciplinary links reward careful reading. While readers should interpret some material in historical context, the collection offers sustained insights and good value as a reference for students and scholars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a modern edition?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book is a Routledge Revivals reissue of essays first published in 1967, republishing classic ethnographic material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat topics does it cover?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEssays address rites, totemism, magic, beliefs about the soul, rumour, suicide and spirit mediumship among the Tikopia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho wrote it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRaymond Firth, an established social anthropologist who conducted three field expeditions to Tikopia, is the author of the collected essays.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Raymond Firth","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48223219187931,"sku":"0415694698","price":62.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/61zZD99mTuL._SL1400.jpg?v=1770271318","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/tikopia-ritual-and-belief-classic-ethnography-reissued","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}