ABSTRACT
This book has made it clear that the recognition of genealogical relationships in the ordering of social life has an extremely wide range of application among the Tallensi. Apart from such ephemeral inter-personal relations, there are lasting social ties, such as those of friendship (zoot), which do not necessarily presuppose genealogical connexions. A complete understanding of the significance of its institutions for a particular society calls for an investigation on both levels. That is not what has been attempted in the book. The book has been focused on the function of kinship as the articulating principle of Tale social structure. Among the Tallensi kinship, relations are a major determinant of the pattern of organization of all activities through which the ruling interests of the people are satisfied. Tale society is an organic society. That is to say, social organization is governed by the same principles at all levels and in every sector of the social structure.
