Cherán: A Sierra Tarascan Village

Description

Author: Beals, Ralph L.  (1901-1985)

Publisher: Smithonian Institution

Pub Date: 1946

Binding: Paperback

Condition: Fair.  Binding tight.  No tears, folds.  Upper front cover corner has an approx. 3″ crease.  Previous owner’s name and date, in ink, on upper corner title page, near spine head.  Lower rear cover corner has an approx. 2″ bend, extends through last half-dozen pages.  Two small chips on rear cover edges (lower and verso).

Notes: Publication No. 2, Smithsonian Institution Institute of Social Anthropology.  “This study is a basic document for understanding native American communities from the point of view both of their individuality and of their gradual assimilation to national life through economic and ideological acculturation.  Although Cherán, like many other towns of the Tarascan area, is thought of and thinks of itself as Indian, it is difficult to identify anything that is aboriginal besides it language and racial type…With virtually all aspects of Cherán culture that can be formally categorized clearly Spanish in origin, why is Cherán considered Indian?” (From the Introduction)  From the library of the late artist and archaeologist Barton Wright (1920-2011), his signature on title page.