ABSTRACT

First published in 1929, Raymond Firth’s original and insightful study offers an incredibly detailed account of the social and economic organisation of the Maori people before their contact with Western civilisation.

Bridging the gap between anthropology and economics, the work covers the class structure, land system, industry, methods of co-operative labour, exchange and distribution, and the psychological foundations of Maori society. This reissue will be welcomed by all students of anthropology and anyone interested the history of the Maori people.

chapter 1|32 pages

The Study of Primitive Economics

chapter 2|42 pages

The Maori and his Economic Resources

chapter 3|53 pages

Social Structure and Economic Organization

chapter 4|35 pages

The Psychology of Work

chapter 5|29 pages

The Nature of Maori Industry

chapter 6|42 pages

The Organization of Work

chapter 7|38 pages

Magic in Economics

chapter 9|31 pages

The Feast

chapter 10|30 pages

The Ownership and Command of Wealth

chapter 11|26 pages

The Land

chapter 12|41 pages

The Exchange of Gifts

chapter 13|16 pages

Native Tracks and Canoe-Ways

chapter 14|39 pages

The Economic Aspect of Culture Change

chapter 15|3 pages

The Maori Community