Abstract

RAPCHAN, Eliane Sebeika. Relatives of our relatives: an essay about the society and the cultures of chimpanzees from an anthropological perspective. Rev. etol. [online]. 2004, vol.6, n.2, pp. 101-117. ISSN 1517-2805.

Comparative analyses of the behavior of chimpanzee populations have revealed the existence of intergroup variability as well as commonality and has given some researchers support to affirm the existence of "chimpanzee cultures". Such analyses may generate a strong impact on current ideas about the relationship between nature and culture. In the present paper, I presents some thoughts about the notion of "chimpanzee cultures" from a sociocultural, anthropological point of view, indicating limits and perspectives. Anthropology may stimulate reflection about: the impact of method on the nature of data, the idea of totality, the construction of otherness, the question of meaning in research about the behavior of chimpanzees and the relevance of social organization for the conception of culture.

Keywords : Social Behavior; Culture; Anthropology; Chimpanzees.

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