Notes. Index.

Burial Rites: The Form of Burial. The Terror of Death. The Sacrifice. The Wailing and Dancing. Prestige of Funerals. A Particular Burial -- Farewell to the Dead: In Selya and Mungonde (The Events. The Overt Purpose and Symbolism). In Kukwe Country (The Events. The Overt Purpose and Symbolism) -- The Ritual of Puberty and Marriage: In Selya and Mungonde (The Events. The Overt Purpose and Symbolism). In Kukwe Country (The Overt Purpose and Symbolism) -- The Ritual of Birth: Taboos of Procreation. The Confinement -- The Ritual of Abnormal Birth: The Events. The Overt Purpose and Symbolism -- Rituals of Misfortune: Cleansing after Spearing. Rotting the Ropes. Protection against Sorcery or Vengeance Magic. Prayer tot the Shades. Reconciliation -- The Participants: Categories of Participants. Christians. The Exchange of Gifts. The Symbolism of Participation and Exchange -- The Nyakyusa Conception of Reality: The Symbolic Pattern. The Nature of Shades. Belief and Behaviour -- Sociological Analysis of the Rituals of Kinship: The Symbolic Expression of Structural Relationships. The Celebration of Rituals and the Maintenance of the Structure. Ultimate Values and Cultural Variation -- Reports of Particular Funerals: Farewell to Mwamulenga, son of Mwegama. Farewell to Kalata's Mother -- Local Variations in the Death Ritual: The Funeral of Mwampiki and his Wife. Note on Ndali Funeral Rites -- Marriage Negotiations and Gifts -- Misfortunes attributed to the Shades -- Causes of Misfortune: The Death of Katasya. Sickness in the Lineage of Mwakyona -- Participants in Rituals illustrated by Genealogies.