Crime and Custom in Savage Society

'Crime and Custom in Savage Society' is a foundational work in legal anthropology that explores the complex systems of law, order, and social obligation within the Trobriand Islands of Melanesia. Written by the pioneering ethnographer Bronislaw Malinowski, this study challenges the then-prevailing notion that indigenous societies lived in a state of either lawless anarchy or blind adherence to custom. Instead, Malinowski demonstrates how social cohesion is maintained through a sophisticated network of reciprocal obligations, economic ties, and religious beliefs.The work provides a detailed examination of how civil law functions in a society without formal courts or written statutes. By analyzing the daily lives, rituals, and conflicts of the Trobriand people, the author reveals the psychological and social forces that compel individuals to follow traditional rules. 'Crime and Custom in Savage Society' remains a vital text for students of sociology and anthropology, offering profound insights into the universal nature of human justice and the structural foundations of community life. It is an essential read for anyone interested in the origins of legal systems and the mechanisms of social control across different cultures.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.