Description
Book Synopsis: Shortlisted for the Katharine Briggs Folkore Award 2003Malanggan are among the most treasured possessions in the Pacific, yet they continue to confound anthropologists. Central to funerals in New Ireland, these 'death' figures are intended to decompose as symbolic representations of the dead. Wrapped in images that are conceived of as 'skins', they are both visually complex and intriguing.
This book is the first to interpret these mysterious agents of resemblance and connection as having a cognitive rather than a linguistic basis. Found in nearly every ethnographic museum in the world, Malanggan collections have been left virtually untouched. This original study begins by tracing the history of the collections and moves on to consider the role these artifacts play in sacrifice, ritual, and exchange. What is the relationship between Malanggan and memory? How can Malanggan be understood as a life force as well as a vehicle for thought? In an analysis of the cognitive aspects of Malanggan, Küchler offers a highly original conceptualization of the centrality of the knot as a mode of being, thinking, and binding in the Pacific.
Malanggan: Art, Memory and Sacrifice is a groundbreaking study. Based on fifteen years of fieldwork and collection research, it provides an incisive new take on one of the Pacific's classic puzzles, as well as a wealth of new information and resources for anthropologists, collectors, and curators alike.
Details
Discover the captivating world of Malanggan with "Malanggan: Art, Memory and Sacrifice." This groundbreaking book offers a unique and insightful exploration into the enigmatic nature of these treasured Pacific possessions. Shortlisted for the esteemed Katharine Briggs Folklore Award in 2003, it has garnered recognition for its pioneering approach in unraveling the mysteries of Malanggan.
Unveiling the cognitive essence behind these symbolic representations of the dead, "Malanggan: Art, Memory and Sacrifice" unveils a whole new perspective. The visually intricate 'skins' that encase these death figures pose a cognitive rather than linguistic significance, making them even more fascinating. With Malanggan collections virtually untouched in ethnographic museums worldwide, this book provides a scholarly interpretation that delves into their history and the role they play in sacrifice, ritual, and exchange.
At its core, "Malanggan: Art, Memory and Sacrifice" invites you to explore the profound relationship between Malanggan and memory. It goes beyond a mere examination of these artifacts as lifeless objects, illuminating their role as a vibrant life force coursing through the Pacific. With a meticulous analysis of the cognitive aspects of Malanggan, this book introduces the knot as a powerful symbol of being, thinking, and binding in the region.
Authored by a renowned anthropologist with fifteen years of fieldwork and collection research, "Malanggan: Art, Memory and Sacrifice" is a must-have resource. Whether you're an anthropologist, collector, or curator, this book provides an abundance of new information and insights, revolutionizing the understanding of one of the Pacific's greatest puzzles.
Embark on a journey into the depths of Pacific culture and order your copy of "Malanggan: Art, Memory and Sacrifice" today! Click here to purchase
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