Incest Taboo
At a glance:
- Series: American Indians Ready Reference
- Categories: Social Science
- Subcategories: Native Americans, American Indians, Family, Marriage
- Curriculum: American Indian History
- Geographical Location: North America
Article abstract: This proscription was and continues to be taken very seriously by American Indian cultures
The incest taboo is the near-universal prohibition against marrying close biological relatives. Incest was condemned in very grave terms by American Indian cultures, even to the extent of being associated with witchcraft and sorcery. The practice of incest was sometimes blamed for reduced success in hunting and other misfortunes which befell communities. The ban on incest involved not only marriage but also any sexual intercourse with forbidden classes of...
[The entire page is 375 words long]
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