Evolution of initiation rites during the Austronesian dispersal

Science Progress • Vol/Iss. 104(3) • SAGE Publications • • Published In • Pages: 1-16 •
By Bentley, R. Alexander , Moritz, William R. , Ruck, Damian J. , O'Brien, Michael J.

Abstract

This paper builds on previous Austronesian dispersal research that indicated rituals and social complexity gave rise to each other, by examining if marital residence and initiation rites co-evolved during the dispersal. Using a phylogenetic test and initiation data from 79 societies, the authors found evidence that female and male initiation rites co-evolved during the dispersal and were most stable when both initiation rites were present. The authors also suggest that proto-Austronesian society probably lacked initiation rites and such rites only developed later.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
Ethnographic Atlas (EA)Researcher's ownData on initiations
Currie et. al, 2010Other researchersAustronesian societies

Hypotheses (2)

HypothesisSupported
Ancestral initiation rites will be associated with post-marital residence systems for Austronesian societies.Partially supported
Male and female initiation rites co-evolved in Austronesian societies.Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: danielle.russell