Some aspects of marriage alliance among the Chacobo (Bolivian Amazonia)

CÓRDOBA, LORENA; VILLAR, DIEGO

Wege im Gartem der Ethnologie. Caminos en el jardín de la etnología.

Collectanea Instituti Anthropos

Lugar: Sankt Augustin; Año: 2013; p. 177 - 190

Except for a few remaining Yaminahua and Pacaguara, the Chacobo are currently the only Pano-speaking group of Bolivian Amazonia. We offer preliminary results of ongoing genealogical research about Chacobo marriage alliance by analysing a matrimonial network that involves the totality of Chacobo population (1049 people, 348 marriages and 21 settlements) during the period 2000-2010. The analysis reveals the importance of serial affinity, the translation of kinship in a spatial dimension, and that a proper understanding of Chacobo marriage can not be limited to the logical structure of the ´kinship system´. Any adequate understanding must also encompass a wider set of relations that include historical matters such as the mutable meaning of ethnonyms and social groups, the recycling of interethnic relationships, and the sociological impact of missionary activity.