Among Cannibals (ePub)

Carl Sophus Lumholtz (1851-1922) was a Norwegian ethnographer and explorer whose scholarship predominantly focused on indigenous cultures. With a background in zoology from the University of Oslo, Lumholtz embarked on extensive fieldwork that lead to his profound interest in anthropology. In 1880, he started a four-year expedition to Australia sponsored by the University of Norway. Throughout his stay, Lumholtz lived among various Aboriginal groups, an experience that enriched his anthropological perspective and provided material for his book 'Among Cannibals' (1889). This seminal work offers a detailed account of his observations on the habits, customs, and social structures of the Australian indigenous communities he encountered. His writing is characterized by a descriptive and empirical approach, embedded within the ethnographic methodology of the time, which sought to document the cultures under European colonial influence. Lumholtz's literary style conveys both the admiration and the paternalistic attitudes typical of his era's anthropological narrative. His other noteworthy publications include 'Unknown Mexico' (1902) and 'New Trails in Mexico' (1912), which further consolidated his reputation as a keen observer of indigenous cultures. Lumholtz's contributions lay not only in his ethnographical works but also in bridging the gaps of understanding between disparate cultures during the age of exploration and colonialism.