FOREWORD 



In this day when the vogue in ethnology is to stress theory and 

 far-reaching comparisons, it is refreshing to find a study that is 

 essentially descriptive. With characteristic energy Sister Inez has 

 gathered a wealth of detailed facts concerning all aspects of child life, 

 biological and sociological, which should serve as a mine of source 

 material for future workers. 



Essentially she has followed the same methods as used in her two 

 previous monographs on the child life of the Chippewa and the 

 Arapaho, but in this instance she has stressed even more the cultural 

 matrix which to such a large extent has determined the practices 

 connected with the development and socialization of the child. 



The approach technically has not been that of the psychologist, but 

 a wealth of psychological material emerges. 



The abundance of direct quotes from informants and the frequent 

 recounting of personal experiences give to the narrative an intimacy 

 that not only makes it entertaining reading but imparts a human 

 quality which adds to its value as a sociological and psychological 

 document. 



Considering the importance of the Araucanians, there are not too 

 many accounts available in the English language, and no other study 

 concerning child life. 



Although acculturated through more than four centuries of contact 

 with European civilization, the Araucanians have retained their 

 identity, their language, and a great deal of their aboriginal culture. 



This study of the Araucanians of Chile and Argentina, using the 

 development and training of the child as a method of approach, 

 actually gives an excellent picture of Araucanian ethnology in general 

 as it is today. 



M. W. Stirling 



Director, Bureau of American Ethnology 



Smithsonian Institution 



