Karl von den Steinen’s Ethnographic Research among Indigenous Peoples in Brazil, 1884-1888
This article analyses and contextualizes the life and work of the German ethnologist Karl von den Steinen (1855-1929), who conducted ethnographic research in Brazil in 1884 and 1887-88. With a solid education in sciences and the humanities, von den Steinen, a physician and psychiatrist, set out to s...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
2019-04-01
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| Series: | Revista de Antropologia |
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| Online Access: | http://www.revistas.usp.br/ra/article/view/157033 |
| _version_ | 1818534242566537216 |
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| author | Renate Brigitte Viertler |
| author_facet | Renate Brigitte Viertler |
| author_sort | Renate Brigitte Viertler |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This article analyses and contextualizes the life and work of the German ethnologist Karl von den Steinen (1855-1929), who conducted ethnographic research in Brazil in 1884 and 1887-88. With a solid education in sciences and the humanities, von den Steinen, a physician and psychiatrist, set out to study social institutions, material and spiritual culture among “stone age” tribal societies along the Amazon. Arriving in Brazil in 1884 he studied the Upper Xingu and the Bororo Indians in the Mato Grosso province. In the Upper Xingu area he obtained a rich ethnographic collection and gathered detailed ethnographic data that continue to be useful for modern-day anthropologists. From a theoretical point of view, von den Steinen endorsed the theory of multilineal development proposed by his mentor Adolf Bastian (1826-1905). Despite many difficulties during his stay among the Bororo Indians, he was able to acquire valuable data to be used by those interested in Bororo social institutions and ceremonial life. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T18:09:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a86d376d109f4ef2b9e54b5cbaba6a9f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0034-7701 1678-9857 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T18:09:10Z |
| publishDate | 2019-04-01 |
| publisher | Universidade de São Paulo (USP) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Revista de Antropologia |
| spelling | doaj.art-a86d376d109f4ef2b9e54b5cbaba6a9f2022-12-22T00:55:38ZengUniversidade de São Paulo (USP)Revista de Antropologia0034-77011678-98572019-04-0162110.11606/2179-0892.ra.2019.157033Karl von den Steinen’s Ethnographic Research among Indigenous Peoples in Brazil, 1884-1888Renate Brigitte ViertlerThis article analyses and contextualizes the life and work of the German ethnologist Karl von den Steinen (1855-1929), who conducted ethnographic research in Brazil in 1884 and 1887-88. With a solid education in sciences and the humanities, von den Steinen, a physician and psychiatrist, set out to study social institutions, material and spiritual culture among “stone age” tribal societies along the Amazon. Arriving in Brazil in 1884 he studied the Upper Xingu and the Bororo Indians in the Mato Grosso province. In the Upper Xingu area he obtained a rich ethnographic collection and gathered detailed ethnographic data that continue to be useful for modern-day anthropologists. From a theoretical point of view, von den Steinen endorsed the theory of multilineal development proposed by his mentor Adolf Bastian (1826-1905). Despite many difficulties during his stay among the Bororo Indians, he was able to acquire valuable data to be used by those interested in Bororo social institutions and ceremonial life.http://www.revistas.usp.br/ra/article/view/157033Bororo IndiansUpper Xingu IndiansBrazilian EthnologyHistory of AnthropologyIndigenous Peoples |
| spellingShingle | Renate Brigitte Viertler Karl von den Steinen’s Ethnographic Research among Indigenous Peoples in Brazil, 1884-1888 Revista de Antropologia Bororo Indians Upper Xingu Indians Brazilian Ethnology History of Anthropology Indigenous Peoples |
| title | Karl von den Steinen’s Ethnographic Research among Indigenous Peoples in Brazil, 1884-1888 |
| title_full | Karl von den Steinen’s Ethnographic Research among Indigenous Peoples in Brazil, 1884-1888 |
| title_fullStr | Karl von den Steinen’s Ethnographic Research among Indigenous Peoples in Brazil, 1884-1888 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Karl von den Steinen’s Ethnographic Research among Indigenous Peoples in Brazil, 1884-1888 |
| title_short | Karl von den Steinen’s Ethnographic Research among Indigenous Peoples in Brazil, 1884-1888 |
| title_sort | karl von den steinen s ethnographic research among indigenous peoples in brazil 1884 1888 |
| topic | Bororo Indians Upper Xingu Indians Brazilian Ethnology History of Anthropology Indigenous Peoples |
| url | http://www.revistas.usp.br/ra/article/view/157033 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT renatebrigitteviertler karlvondensteinensethnographicresearchamongindigenouspeoplesinbrazil18841888 |