Abstract
THE SOCIAL STRUCTURE OF THE RAMKO'KAMEKRA (CANELLA) By CURT NIMUENDAJU Translated and edited by Robert H. Lowie INTRODUCTORY NOTE we defined position I N a previous article described the the four types of of the Ramko'kamekra within the Ge stock and dichotomy characteristic of their social organization. The present contribution sketches all the essen tial social ties, with special attention to formalized friendship, age-classes, and government. Strictly speaking, the Ramko'kamekra of Ponto, Maranhlio, are not the sole inhabitants of this village, but form the overwhelming majority of their community, which harbors remnants of kindred groups, viz. the Ca'kamekra, the Kare'kateye and the Kro'rekamekra. The King Vulture ceremonial (see p. 69) preserves these distinctions, the indigenous Ramko' kamekra men occupying the very center of the plaza, while the three immi grant groups remain in the east, northwest, and southwest, respectively, corresponding to their original homes. Formerly there were also representa tives of the now extinct Hoti' (an offshoot of the Apinaye', Western Tim bira) and the Apa'nyekra, who in 1931 had dwindled down to two members. The Ca'kamekra, once an independent Timbira tribe related in speech and custom, are second to the Ramko'kamekra in numbers; they were formally incorporated about the turn of this century. The number of Kare'kateye and Kro'rekamekra is insignificant. PRINCIPAL SOCIAL UNITS The social structure of this people is extraordinarily complex. Every individual belongs to (a) a family; (b) a matrilineal lineage growing out of rnatrilocal residence and feminine house ownership; (c) a matrilineal exo gamous moiety; (d) a nonexogamous Rainy Season moiety. In addition, all males belong to (e) a particular group stationed in the plaza on certain occasions and forming part of (f) a nonexogamous Plaza moiety, East or West; (g) an age-class. The four athletically active age-classes are paired, the two pairs (h) yielding a fourth type of moiety. Membership in (b) and (c) is hereditary; in (d), (e), and (f) it hinges on the bearing of certain names; in (g) on joint initiation into adult status. 1 Curt Nimuendaju and Robert H. Lowie, The Dual Organizations of the Ramko'kamekra (Canella) of Northern Brazil (American Anthropologist, Vol. 39, pp. 565-82, 1937). The Ramko'kamekra occupy the village of Ponto, in the steppes of Maranhao, about 78 km. south of the town of Barra do Corda.
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