[Note: this transcription was produced by an automatic OCR engine]

CHAPTER XXIV
THE DISTRIBUTION OF CULTURES IN THE
NORTHERN NEW HEBRIDES
Deacon received his training in anthropology at the University
of Cambridge, and was inevitably much influenced by the work
of the late Dr. Rivers. In particular he had made a close study
of the book, The History of Melanesian Society, and it is not to
be wondered at, therefore, that one of the problems which
interested him when he was in Malekula was the cultural history
of the New Hebrides. From time to time he sketched out his
views on this subject, and shortly before his death—probably
while he was waiting in South-West Bay for the steamer which
should have taken him back to Sydney—he wrote in greater
detail what he called h_is general theory of Hew Hebrides culture.
On certain points it is probable that as a. result oi the facts
contained in publications which were published shortly before
or after his death (as, for example, the articles of Pere Tattevin)
he would have found it necessary to modify his views, but other-
wise we may safely accept the following pages as representing
his well-considered conclusions on this subject.
It seems probable that the islands of the Northern and North-
Central New Hebrides have been influenced by four main types
of culture. Since an analysis based upon the social structure
of a people is more fundamental than an analysis based upon their
arts and crafts, it is as well to consider ï¬Årst the kinship organiza-
tion of these New Hebridean islands. We ï¬Ånd that they can be
divided into two major areas; the one characterized by matri~
lineal descent, the other characterized by patrilineal. Matrilineal
descent is found in the Banks, and Torres Islands, in Maewo,
Orriba, North Raga, Malo, and Santo.‘ Patriliny, on the other
1 R4 H. Codrington, The Malznesidtw, PP- 21, 24-6, The island oi
Espiritu SBDCO is divided into a great many distinct Cfllfllrfll districts. Little
has as yet been published about their social organization, but Deacon collected
some information on this subject. According to him matrilineal descent is
Iound in Nogugu, Tasmant, and Tismulun in the west and south-west (though
id the last-mentioned district it is combined with Patriliny as regards membership
of the local group and inheritance). (A. B. Deacon, 1929, pp. 471, 475, 480-1.)
698 ‘
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