Ritualized Homosexuality in Melanesia

This book contains the work of seven leading anthropologists on the subject of ritualized homosexuality, and it marks the first time that anthropologists have systematically studied cross-cultural variations in homosexual behavior in a non-Western culture area. The book as a whole indicates that contemporary theories of sex and gender development need revision in light of the Melanesian findings.

Gilbert H. Herdt is Professor of Human Sexuality Studies at San Francisco State University.

Introduction to the Paperback Edition 

Editor's Preface 
1 Gilbert H. Herdt 
  Ritualized Homosexual Behavior in the Male Cults of Melanesia, 1862-1983: An Introduction
2 Michael R. Allen 
  Homosexuality, Male Power, and Political Organization in North Vanuatu: A Comparative Analysis
3 J. Van Baal 
  The Dialectics of Sex in Marind-anim Culture
4 Gilbert H. Herdt 
  Semen Transactions in Sambia Culture
5 Kenneth E. Read 
  The Nama Cult Recalled
6 Eric Schwimmer 
  Male Couples in New Guinea
7 Laurent Serpenti 
  The Ritual Meaning of Homosexuality and Pedophilia among the Kimam-Papuans of South Irian Jaya
8 Arve S0rum 
  Growth and Decay: Bedamini Notions of Sexuality
9 Shirley Lindenbaum 
  Variations on a Sociosexual Theme in Melanesia
  
Bibliography 
Contributors 
Index 
Maps
1 New Guinea and adjacent islands
2 Vanuatu (New Hebrides)
3 Southwest New Guinea (lrian Jaya)
Map of Melanesia
frontispiece