Papago woman

by Ruth M. Underhill

A valued classic by a foremost female anthropologist! Underhill's fine ethnographic work gives us at least a glimpse into a time that will not come again, yet a time that will forever shape the future. Her approach is reverential, without being too sentimental. The study of culture is enriched by Underhill's writings, and the life history presented in Papago Woman stands clear as an excellent example of her devotion to her subject.

Genres: Nonfiction, Native American

98 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1936

About the author

Ruth Murray Underhill was an American anthropologist. She was born in Ossining-on-the-Hudson, New York, and attended Vassar College, graduating in 1905 with a degree in Language and Literature. In 1907, she graduated from the London School of Economics and began travelling throughout Europe. During World War I, she worked for an Italian Orphanage run by the Red Cross. After the war, she married Charles C. Crawford and published her first book The White Moth. Her marriage ended in 1929 and by 1930 she decided to go back to school to learn more about human behavior. After speaking with Franz Boas and Ruth Benedict in the Anthropology Department at Columbia University, she decided to pursue the field, graduating in 1937. She wrote numerous books on Native Americans and helped to dispel many myths about their culture.

Reviews

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read, but full of biases. As an educational tool can be used to explain ritual. It's the story of a Todo'onham woman (no longer Papago), who shares her native philosophy and how it has influenced her life experiences. This book is an early example of ethnographic work in the Anthropology field...Although Underhill is the author of this book, she doesn't write from a native perspective, she writes from a western perspective. Therefore, the 'meat' of her experience is lost...

[Marieta Grissom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a ground-breaking study of a Papago woman and the culture of her people. While the detail may not be totally accurate due to the language barrier, certainly the overall relevance is very significant. This book reveals some of the most intimate details of a woman's life, in fact, somewhat nonchalantly. Rarely are an individual's or a people's lives so candidly discussed.

[Myra Schouten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book about the Tohono O'odham people

[Funda Guzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keyif ile okudum.

[Mario · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most captivating ethnographic pieces I've ever read. It is a fine example of a life-history ethnography, and reads like the best love story and adventure. Underhill makes a point of detailing her editorial hand in the publication to tell a story that makes sense to a non-native reader. I have read this book at least ten times, and I assign it to my anthropology students to read as well.

[Suz Alcantar · Rating 1 out of 5]

SUCKY!

[Trish · Rating 2 out of 5]

I dont know if i understood this book. Some parts were kinda interesting.

[Bill Tillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many do not understand RMU, but she is dedicated to bring authentic information to light.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent insight into the lives of the Papago people before European influences.