Anthropology, Department of
Date of this Version
2008
Abstract
This paper will explore the changing structure of American Indian society with the introduction of Euro-American technology and practices on the Plains. I intend to compare and contrast social aspects of Indian culture before and after contact, including the presence and intensity of marriage exchanges, levels of exogamy, the intensity of polygyny, and degree of stratification among native groups. These comparisons will shed light on the mechanisms of culture change, showing the entire process to be gradual and often due to conscious, immediately beneficial decisions.
Comments
Published in Nebraska Anthropologist Vol. 23 (2008). Copyright © Andrew LaBounty; published by The University of Nebraska-Lincoln AnthroGroup.