In many non-industrial, non-Western societies, power and prestige are closely linked to the extent of an individual's or group's perceived connection to the supernatural realm, which also explains and validates tangible activities such as economic success, victories in war, or control over lucrative trade. Affines (in-laws), ancestors, and aristocrats, in particular, are connected to the realm of creative cosmological origins (i.e., to Genesis), which accords them distinctive, supernatural powers and gives them a natural and legitimate right to worldly authority.

This is the hypothesis that Mary W. Helms pursues in this broadly cross-cultural study of aristocracy in chiefly societies. She begins with basic ideas about the dead, ancestors, affines, and concepts of cosmological origins. This leads her to a discussion of cosmologically defined hierarchies, the qualities that characterize aristocracy, and the political and ideological roles of aristocrats as wife-givers and wife-takers (that is, as in-laws). She concludes by considering various models that explain how societies may develop or define aristocracies.

"This is a new and major contribution to the study of social stratification in general and New World chiefly elites in particular... This book will occupy a permanent place in anthropological literature." -- F. Kent Reilly III, Professor of Anthropology, Southwest Texas State University

About the Author
Mary W. Helms is Professor of Anthropology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.


Book Information
ISBN 9780292723740
Author Mary W. Helms
Format Paperback
Page Count 272
Imprint University of Texas Press
Publisher University of Texas Press
Weight(grams) 454g