ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book is a companion study concerned primarily with the kinship structure, which, in contrast, has survived almost unaltered. It provides a brief general description and a detailed account of the different groupings and relationships of the members. The book explores the life history of an average native from birth through infancy, childhood, adolescence, and marriage to maturity and in the process show how the community gradually tightens its grip. Busama is situated on the western shore of the Huon Gulf. Germany had annexed the whole north-eastern quarter of New Guinea in 1884, but the Gulf region did not come under full administrative control till after 1900. The Huon Gulf country is made up of no less than eleven distinct linguistic divisions.
