Kamilaroi and Kurnai - Paperback

by Lorimer Fison (Joint Author), William Howitt (Joint Author)

A 'landmark in Australian anthropology' when it first appeared in 1880, this is the first major analysis of Aboriginal social structure, adopting a model today termed 'social Darwinist'. While this theory is now rejected, it exerted tremendous influence on European attitudes for decades, making this an important sourcebook for such ideas. Fison's chapters are theoretical and general, Howitt's are packed with rich details, such as the names of his informants and localities.

Author Biography

Lorimer Fison was Wesleyan missionary, anthropologist, and journalist. William Howitt was an explorer, natural scientist, and pioneer authority on Aboriginal culture and social organization.