The Making of Great Men : Male Domination and Power among the New Guinea Baruya (Cambridge Studies in Social and Cultural Anthropology)

Rating:
Summary: Refreshing perspective in the field of Anthropology
Review: The Making of Great Men presents an enlightened look at the different cultures and symbolic forms used by natives in remotely distant parts of the world. The encounters with alterity are supplemented with countless first-hand and experience-near observations. At the same time, Maurice manages to entice the reader with snippets of research information and engaging records of conversations with the natives. At first glance, the different portions of the book appear disparate, but more in-depth reading leads one to appreciate the intense level of research put in by Maurice and a coherent picture of the cultural tapestry of the world we live in is presented throughout the book. It is intriguing to discover that natives living in distant parts of the world, both geographically and linguistically, manage to develop their own symbolic forms and share many common behavioural traits. Gradually, one is led in an affirmation of the uniqueness of human life and a stronger identification with cultural identity. The Making of Great Men serves not only as an insight into foreign cultural norms but a lucid introduction to the field of Anthropology. Highly recommended reading.