The Reinvention of Primitive Society

The Reinvention of Primitive Society critiques ideas about the origins of society and religion that have been hotly debated since Darwin. Tracing interpretations of the barbarian, savage and primitive back through the centuries to ancient Greece, Kuper challenges the myth of primitive society, a concept revived in its current form by the modern indigenous peoples movement: tapping into widespread popular beliefs regarding the noble savage and reflecting a romantic reaction against civilisation and science. Through a fascinating analysis of seminal works in anthropology, classical studies and law, this book reveals how wholly mistaken theories can become the basis for academic research and political programmes. Lucidly written and highly influential since first publication, it is a must-have text for those interested in anthropological theory and post-colonial debates.

Adam Kupers iconoclastic intellectual history argues that the idea of primitive society is a western myth. The primitive is imagined as the opposite of the civilised. But this is a protean myth. As ideas about civilisation change, so the image of primitive society must be adjusted.

By way of fascinating account of classic texts in anthropology, ancient history and law, Kuper reveals how this myth underpinned academic research and inspired political programmes. Its ancestry is traced back to classical western beliefs about barbarians and savages, and Kuper also tackles the latest version of the myth, the idea of a global identity of indigenous peoples.

The Reinvention of Primitive Society is a key text in the history of anthropology, and will interest anyone who has puzzled about the very idea of primitive society and so, by implication, about civilisation.

Get The Reinvention of Primitive Society by at the best price and quality guaranteed only at Werezi Africa's largest book ecommerce store. The book was published by Taylor & Francis Ltd and it has pages.