Buell Quain (1912-1939): an Ethnologist without a Grave

Abstract

Abstract During the night of August 2nd to 3rd 1939, the American anthropologist Buell Quain, then working among the Krahô Indians, lacerated his body, opened his veins and ended up hanging himself from a tree by using a rope from his hammock. In several letters dated 2nd August 1939 which he had written and left for his usual correspondents, he mentions a contagious disease to explain his final act. But this reason would be contradicted by many of his last comrades and colleagues. This paper aims to investigate elements that contribute to the understanding of the links between the fieldworker and his subject.