Re: translation -- the duke was smitten

"Thomas R. Wier" wrote:

> J Matthew Pearson wrote:
>
> > Nik Taylor wrote:
> >
> > > J Matthew Pearson wrote:
> > > > Unfortunately, _talo_ "chieftain" is gender-neutral, so the homoerotic feel of
> > > > the original is somewhat diminished...
> > >
> > > Does that mean that women can be chieftains among the Tokana?
> >
> > I haven't exactly settled on the qualifications to be a "talo", conculturally
> > speaking.  Prestige and power in Tokana culture are based on a combination of age,
> > lineage, and material wealth (the latter two generally go together).
>
> Do they have potlatch in Tokana society?
Yes indeed.  Among the Tokana, wealth is measured in terms of how much property you can
distribute.  The Tokana words for "wealthy" and "generous, hospitable" are closely
related.

Matt.

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