Customer Reviews

The Behavioral Ecology of Efe Pygmy Men in the Ituri Forest, Zaire (Anthropological Papers (Univ of Michigan, Museum of Anthropology))

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Robert Converse Bailey's book is both illuminating and highly knowledgeable, revealing him as an anthropologist of the highest order. It is, however, a great shame that he chose to lavish his attentions on such an aggressive and discourteous tribe as the Efe.
Having lived with the neighboring Aka pygmies for many years, I have often heard the lament: "Curse the Efe with their stinging sharp arrows!" I have even witnessed the Aka, while singing one of one of their magical polyphonic songs, cruelly interrupted by an arrow flying out of the bushes and lodging in one of their tiny behinds. The distinctive high pitched laughter that resounds throughout the forest during such occasions leaves one in no doubt as to the culprits.
The Aka are a peaceable tribe, whose family units are strong and who hunt together with nets. Yet how often have I heard them, in that peculiar clicking and ululating tongue of theirs, describe how they wished, "the Efe be chased by bees, and have termites infest their huts. Curse them and their multi-caretaker child-rearing techniques!"
One hopes that a pygmy war may yet be avoided, but books such as Mr. Converse Bailey's only enflame the egotistical nature of the proud Efe and increase their appetite for mischief beneath the jungle canopy.

A 1991 trade paperback illustrated with black and white photos, tables, and a map.

Table of Contents Highlights

List of Figures
List of Tables
Foreword
Preface

Introductory
- Theory and Choice of Variables
- Previous Studies of Pygmies

The Study Area and Its Inhabitants
- Physical Environment
- Peoples
- Study Populations: The Lese Dese, The Efe
- The Annual Cycle

Methods
- Observations of Behavior: recording methods, observer affect, observation of hunts, other data collection, Anthropometry

Activity Patterns and Food Acquisition
- Hunting
- Food Gathering
- Honey Gathering
- Food Preparation
- Implements
- Travel
- Childcare
- Selfcare
- Leisure
- Locomotion
- Health and Illness
- Weather
- Activity Patterns

The Sociology of Efe Hunting
- Hunting Methods
- Time Allocation
- Hunting Returns
- The Advantages of Group Hunting

Hunting Success and Marriage

Conclusion

Bibliography (14 pp)

3 Appendices