The Plains Cree: An Ethnographic, Historical, and Comparative Study

First published in 1940, David Mandelbaum's study remains the definitive account of the Plains Cree. In this revised edition, first reprinted in 1978, Part One contains the original material dealing with Plains Cree history and ethnology. Part Two is a two-fold comparative study: the first section compares the Plains Cree to other groups east of the Plains: the Eastern Cree, various Ojibwa groups, the bands of the Labrador Peninsula, the Menomini, and other Central Woodlands tribes; the second section compares Plains Cree culture to other Plains tribes, mainly those of the northern Plains.

Table of Contents:
Preface Editor's Note PART ONE THE PLAINS CREE: A HISTORICAL AND ETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY INTRODUCTION TRIBAL DISTRIBUTION Terrain Band Divisions THE WESTWARD MOVEMENT First Contacts, 1640-1690 The Establishments of Fur Trade, 1690-1740 Conquest of the Western Forests, 1740-1820 Occupation of the Plains, 1820-1880 Summary THE MAINSTAYS OF PLAINS CREE ECONOMY The Buffalo The Horse The Dog Other Elements of Economic Life MANUFACTURES AND ARTIFACTS Clothing Personal Adornment Housing Ceremonial Structures Houshold Furnishings and Utensils Weapons Smoking Utensils Musical Instruments Transport Devices Techniques of Ornamentation SOCIAL LIFE The Basis of Band Division Chieftainship Rank and Societies Camp Life Crime and Justice Kinship Games THE INDIVIDUAL LIFE CYCLE Birth Names Childhood Puberty and Women's Observances Marriage Wife Exchange Death, Burial, and Mourning RELIGION AND CEREMONIALISM Supernaturals Soul and Afterworld The Vision Quest Shamanism Bundles Vision Prerogatives Beliefs CEREMONIALISM Vowed Ceremonies Secular Dances Bear Ceremonialism Eagle Ceremonialism First Event Ceremonialism Dog Feast Tipi Painting Offering Pole The Elements of Ritualism WARFARE Motives Procedure of the Raid The Return Scalping War Exploits Vengeance Party Insignia Metaphor of Battle A War Record PART TWO A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE PLAINS CREE CULTURE THE PROBLEM THE EASTERN AFFILIATIONS OF PLAINS CREE CULTURE MATERIAL CULTURE AND ECONOMIC LIFE Housing Ceremonial Structures Household Furnishings and Utensils Dress Personal Adornment The Food Quest Food Preparation Transport Weapons Manufactures Musical Instruments SOCIAL ORGANIZATION Chieftainship Societies Rank and Prestige THE INDIVIDUAL LIFE CYCLE Birth Puberty Marriage Death, Burial, Mourning RELIGION AND CEREMONIALISM Supernatural The Vision Quest Shamanism Hunting Observances Elements of Ritualism Ceremonialism Secular Dances, Minor Ceremonialism, Beliefs WARFARE SUMMARY THE PLAINS AFFILIATIONS OF PLAINS CREE CULTURE MATERIAL CULTURE AND ECONOMIC LIFE Housing Household Furnishings Dress Personal Adornment The Food Quest Food Preparation Transport Weapons Manufactures Musical Instruments SOCIAL ORGANIZATION The Individual Life Cycle RELIGION AND CEREMONIALISM WARFARE SUMMARY PART THREE CONCLUSIONS APPENDIX A. Month Names and Other Terminologies B. A Vision Experience and its Consequences C. Field Sketches BIBLIOGRAPHY

About the Author :
Dr. Mandelbaum was born in 1911 and he died in 1987.