Sacrifice, sex and structural transformation

Abstract

In the same year, 1985, two scholars, working at the same university, and both specialists in Oceanic anthropology, each published a major work (with the same University Press), in which ancient Hawaii is the main focus of interest. Although the two scholars, Sahlins and Valeri, did not work together, they were close to each other in some respects. In many places in his work, Sahlins refers to Valeri's book, which, at the time, was still in press. Valeri, for his part, mentions in his Acknow ledgements a debt of inspiration and help to Sahlins. With these express ions of mutual admiration the similarities end, however. The two books differ in virtually every respect. Sahlins brings together in his book five lectures, delivered in the course of 1981-1983, including the Frazer Lec ture of 1982, and the Distinguished Lecture of the American An thropological Association of 1983. Valeri presents a heavily documented treatise on one aspect of Hawaiian culture: sacrifice in all its ramifica tions and with a great deal of theoretical pretension. I shall first deal with Sahlins' Islands of History. As was said above, the book consists of five lectures with an Introduction. Three of these lectures had been published previously. Though Sahlins informs us (p. xviii) that he made some revisions in the text, the character of 'invited lecture' is still very much in evidence. The chapters abound with pregnant formulations, paradoxes, aphorisms, and word plays. In other words, the entire magic box of eloquence has been pulled open. But what re mains when all is said and done?