XXVI Congreso Internacional de Americanistas

- 329 ­
Prevalence o[ llfo71ogamy.-:"-l\Iollogamy prevails in most human 50­
cieties. Polygamy u5ually is either definitely prohibited 01' legally pe1'­
mitted but unless the1'e is a very abnormal sex ratio or peculiar conditions
which cause a large number of males to remain bachelors polygamy
eculd not prevail in any society. Monogamy as an institution may be
the 1'esult of legal restrictions, religious influences, personal choice or
the product of various social systems. '1'0 draw conc1usions as to historical
development by comparing the similar results rather than the speeifie
causes producing them seems a worthlees procedure.
Monogamy
can be considered another loose term of no value in itself in Ihe compa
rison of speci fic cultures.
In respect to poligamy, however, Koppers in accordanee w ith Kulturkreis
principIes recognizes that it may result from different causes.
Although he conc1udes that Fuegian and "Old" Australian cultures are
reiated beca use both are said to be predominately mOl1ogamous he also
adcls that polygamy in each region is not so rare. The appearances of
polygamy in Fuegia are explained as the entering influence of the Matrilineal
Kulturkreis, but in Southeastern Australia they are ascribed to
the introduction of the Totemistic Kulturkreis. Since polygamy is thu~
attributed to differing influences, its appearances in Tierra del Fuego
and Australia are not accepted by Koppers as of historical value in the
problem at hand.
similarlyexc1uded.
In the opinion of the writer mOllogamy should be
La.c/~
o[ Tolenúc Cia,ns.-No basis for comparison.
Lack o[ lVla,triiineaJ elass Ex·ogamy.--No basis for comparison.
Exoga.my Based upon Blood R-ela.tionship.-No basis for eompari son.
Al! societies are characterized by exogamy (another loose ly employed
term) based upon bJood relationship in one form or another.
Food Taboos. - The complex Australian system of food taboo:; is
well known. Some taboos are lifted after initiation, but in some areas
all food bans may not be removed ulltil a person reaches middle age. It
is with this intricate system that Koppers C0111 pares the Yahgan custom
whereby an initiate is not free to partake of food until he has distributed
food to the gathering. It seems obvious that the two practices
have nothing in common. Among the Yahgan the emphasis is not placecl
UpOl1 a prohibition, but is concerned with a positive aet, the distribution
of food and the etiquette of first serving the others presento
AnimaL Da.nces for Enterta , ;l/.m~;¿t.-Here we have anothér a 111­