Examining cultures as diverse as long-house dwellers in North Borneo, African farmers, Welsh housewives, and postindustrial American workers, this volume dramatically redefines the anthropological study of menstrual customs. It challenges the widespread image of a universal "menstrual taboo" as well as the common assumption of universal female subordination which underlies it. Contributing important new material and perspectives to our understanding of comparative gender politics and symbolism, it is of particular importance to those interested in anthropology, women's studies, religion, and comparative health systems.This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1988.Examining cultures as diverse as long-house dwellers in North Borneo, African farmers, Welsh housewives, and postindustrial American workers, this volume dramatically redefines the anthropological study of menstrual customs. It challenges the widespread i

Acknowledgments Editors' Note PART I INTRODUCTION 1. A Critical Appraisal of Theories of Menstrual Symbolism Thomas Buckley and Alma Gottlieb PART II MENSTRUAL IMAGES, MEANINGS, AND VALUES 2. Menstrual Cosmology among the Beng of Ivory Coast Alma Gottlieb 3. Mortal Flow: Menstruation in Turkish Village Society Carol Delaney 4. Menstruation among the Rungus of Borneo: An Unmarked Category Laura W. R. Appell PART III THE SOCIOLOGY OF MENSTRUAL MEANINGS 5. Menstrual Politics: Women and Pigs in Rural Portugal Denise L. Lawrence 6. Menstrual Symbolism in South Wales 137 Vieda Skultans 7. Premenstrual Syndrome: Discipline, Work, and Anger in Late Industrial Societies Emily Martin PART IV EXPLORATORY DIRECTIONS: MENSES, CULTURE, AND TIME 8. Menstruation and the Power of Yurok Women Thomas Buckley 9. Heavenly Bodies: Menses, Moon, and Rituals of License among the Temne of Sierra Leone Frederick Lamp 10. Menstrual Synchrony and the Australian Rainbow Snake Chris Knight Notes References Contributors Index