Over several centuries, the Xavante of Central Brazil have maintained an invincible sense of identity and feeling of control over historical processes, despite repeated invasions by colonists and settlers, capitalist commercial ventures, and most recently, an enormous government-sponsored agricultural project. In this discourse-centered study, Laura Graham explores how the Xavante use the ritual performance of myths and dreams to maintain their culture despite these disruptive forces. At the heart of the book is an extraordinary performance, in which a community elder tells his dream of an encounter with the creators. Graham analyzes the various components of his performance--narrative, myth-telling, song, and dance--and considers the entire community's participation in the preparations, rehearsal, and public performance of the dream, including their adaption to her presence and modern technologies. From this analysis, Graham demonstrates how the practice of myth-telling is an essential element in cultural continuity and the creation of social memory and how it also provides a kind of immortality for the myth-teller. Her findings will be of interest not only to students of South American cultures and linguistics but also to everyone intrigued by the role of myth and dreams in social life and social change.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
... of great interest to students of South American folklore, ethnology, and linguistics ... religious studies scholars and psychologists. Recommended. -- Choice
Graham ... argues persuasively for the importance of cultural identity to survival. -- Chicago Folklore Prize Committee
This stunning book represents ethnography at its best. -- Victor Turner Prize Committee --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Graham ... argues persuasively for the importance of cultural identity to survival. -- Chicago Folklore Prize Committee
This stunning book represents ethnography at its best. -- Victor Turner Prize Committee --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
From the Publisher
This title has achieved the following prizes:
Chicago Folklore Prize, American Folklore Society and International Folklore Association
Victor Turner Prize in Ethnographic Writing, Society for Humanistic Anthropology, Honorable Mention
Hans Rosenhaupt Memorial Book Award, Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, Honorable Mention --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The power of Song,
By K. David Harrison (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Performing Dreams: Discoveries of Immortality Among the Xavante of Central Brazil (Paperback)
"Performing Dreams" is a beautifully written and moving first-hand account of how the Xavante are sustaining their traditional cultures and finding ways to resist, co-opt and accommodate modernity through everyday talk, song, ritual and other practices. Students of folk music will be fascinated to witness the pervasive power of song in shaping the history, collective memory, worldview, and daily behavior of the Xavante people. One of the best ethnographies of Amazonia I have read...highly recommended.
1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exceptionally powerful.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Performing Dreams: Discourses of Immortality Among the Xavante of Central Brazil (Paperback)
Creatively conceived and beautifully written. Besides a first rate contribution to linguistic anthropology and Amazonian studies, it's a great read. Check out the amazing musical transcriptions in the appendix.
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