Two Surviving Luiseño Indian Ceremonies in American Anthropologist Volume 55

569-578 pages with figure and bibliography. Royal octavo (9 1/2" x 6 1/2") bound in brown pebble cloth with gilt lettering to spine. American Anthropologist Volume 55 complete issue. First edition.
With the founding of the Mission of San Luis Rey in 1798, an influx of Christianity has led to a decline of the Luiseno Indian culture in southern California. A majority of the rites and rituals of the Luiseno culture are infrequently observed or practiced. The author argues, "one hundred and fifty years of acculturation have not sufficed to snuff out all of the old social structure and religion" (p. 569). He also notes that although majority of the Luiseno people are Christian, the old native religion, along with its rites and rituals, is crucial to all that remains of the culture core. Two specific Luiseno ceremonies are highlighted in the context of this article. First is the installation of religious chief, called scheiyish noti, and the second is the clothes-burning ceremony, known as tchoiyish. These two ceremonies serve to maintain the Luiseno social structure as well as to preserve the culture history, along with its values and attitudes.
Raymond C. White highlights the details of each ceremony in full, noting that the ceremony of religious chief installation was performed first, due to the fact of a vacant spot and the requirements of having a religious chief present for the clothes-burning ceremony. The installation of religious chief is highlighted as being brief, requiring only two parts. An introductory segment was followed by the actual installation of the religious chief. White notes that within these ceremonies, a Luiseno mystic number of three is noticed. Each ritual, dance, chant or song that is performed during both ceremonies is usually completed in three series of three. To enhance the descriptions of both of these ceremonies, White has also included a drawing of the ceremonial site. Labeled on this drawing are the locations of all participants along with any observers that may be present. A greater amount of time was spent on detailing the events of the clothes-burning ceremony. This was a more elaborate ceremony compared to that of the installation of the religious chief, requiring four different stages. The description of both ceremonies did justice in proving how important these rites and rituals are in preserving the Luiseno religious culture.

Condition: Spine ends rubbed, corners bumped else very good.