[For color photos of the Gebusi and the Notes and References for Gebusi 2nd edition, “Student Edition” at left]

What is it like for a native people of the rainforest to confront the modern world? In the early 1980s, the Gebusi of Papua New Guinea conducted ritual dances and spirit séances, practiced alternative sexual customs, and endured a high rate of violence. By 1998, most Gebusi had converted to Christianity and were actively engaged in market activity, disco music, sports leagues, or school. In 2008, however, the author found that public services and the cash economy had deteriorated, and people relied increasingly on their traditional customs and practices. This book vividly portrays both the traditions and the modern challenges of Gebusi society and culture. Written specifically for students, the account uses personal stories and ethnographic examples to connect developments among the Gebusi to topics that are widely discussed in anthropology courses, including comparative features of subsistence, kinship, politics, religion, gender, ethnicity, nationalism, and modern development. This second edition of The Gebusi has been updated and edited throughout and has a new chapter and surprising new conclusions based on the author’s return to the Gebusi in 2008.

“I love the exquisite details from the field and how these are followed by grounded explanations of pertinent theories and concepts in anthropology.”
—Janelli Miller, Western State College

“Knauft’s writing is much more readable than the dry, almost clinical ethnographies we have used for years. The concepts and topics presented in this case study go hand in hand with those found in almost any standard cultural anthropology textbook. What makes The Gebusi unique is the documentation of modernization in such a dramatically short period of time. This case study is a great way to teach concepts of culture change and the increasing pace of globalization. Well done!”
—Donald A. Whatley, Blinn College