Description
Book Synopsis'The Whiteman' is one of the most powerful and pervasive symbols in contemporary American Indian cultures. This book investigates a complex form of joking in which Apaches stage carefully crafted imitations of Anglo-Americans and, by means of these characterizations, give substance to their conceptions of this most pressing of social 'problems'.
Trade Review'Portraits of 'the Whiteman' … is an exceptional piece of work … What it presents is something that is very different for an ethnographer to obtain; indeed, the material presented is unprecedented. The essay is well written, and it packs a wallop. It goes to the very heart of the difficulties in Anglo-American and Native American relations. It should be required reading for every Anglo-American whose work involves him with Native Americans. It will also be exceedingly useful as collateral reading in introductory courses in cultural anthropology.' Ward H. Goodenough
'Ethnographers are not the only ones who do ethnography and Portraits of 'the Whitemen' presents the most subtle evidence that this is so far for North American Indians. It is absolutely at the cutting edge of developments in mutual understanding, to say nothing of the fact that it is superb anthropology.' Alfonso Ortiz
Table of ContentsForeword Dell Hymes; Preface; 1. Indian models of 'the Whiteman'; 2. Cibecue and whitemen; 3. Joking imitations of Anglo-Americans: interpretive functions; 4. Joking imitations of Anglo-Americans: social functions; 5. Changing portraits of 'the Whiteman'; Appendix; Notes; References.
