Primitive Time-reckoning: A study in the origins and first development of the art of counting time among the primitive and early culture peoplesNilsson, Martin P. (Martin Persson)
History
Primitive Time-reckoning: A study in the origins and first development of the art of counting time among the primitive and early culture peoples
Nilsson, Martin P. (Martin Persson)
Chronology
The examples hitherto given are only single instances intended
to make clear the manner and signification of this method of
indicating time. Similar starting-points for reckoning are afforded
the whole year through, and as their times are fixed in regard to
each other, they may form a sort of calendar. The statements made
for the extremely primitive Andamanese give a very characteristic
circle of occupations throughout the year, though here we have to
do not with names of seasons but with the phenomena and business
of the year, which our authority gives according to the European
calendar. January: much honey; two kinds of wild fruit ripen and are
gathered. February: two other kinds of wild fruit, also a tuber;
the inhabitants of the coastal districts catch the dujong and also
a few turtles; the older folk make out of bark turtle-nets, cables,
and lines for harpoons. March: still another two kinds of wild fruit
ripen, wild honey is abundant. April: many visits of neighbouring
tribes; fruit is scanty, there is only one kind ripe, the honey is
finished, the bread-fruit has not yet ripened. From May to August
the ripe bread-fruit forms the principal food. In June many cases of
death occur since the men in their boar-hunting expeditions in the
forest sleep without shelter. In August certain white caterpillars
which live in the decaying tree-trunks are a favourite dish. From
August to October boats are built. In November the people are
particularly merry. The turtle-catch is productive, the weather is
pleasantly cool, there is little rain, and shelter is not necessary.
Different tribes visit one another and feast and dance together[224].
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account