The audiorecordings of David Akin, an American anthropologist specializing in Kwaio culture of the Solomon Islands, includes cassette audio recordings, largely in the Kwaio lanuage or Pidgin English, with a typescript index. The collection also includes two annotated photocopies of Roger Keesing's Kwaio Dictionary with notes and additional words supplied by Akin.
David Akin Audiorecordings, 1979-1997 (MSS 448)
Extent: 2.8 Linear feet (1 archives box, 12 card file boxes)
David Wallace Akin received his Ph.D. from the University of Hawaii in 1993. His doctoral thesis, Negotiating Culture in East Kwaio, Malaita, Solomon Islands, analyzed the social life and customs in the Solomon Islands, and was based on Akin's extensive research of the Kwaio people. Much of Akin's knowledge about the Solomon Islands came from his time spent with the Kwaio, where he spent 5 years volunteering at the Kwaio Cultural Center, as well as from his correspondence with anthropologist Roger Keesing.
Akin has published numerous articles about the society and culture of the Solomon Islands, including: Local and foreign spirits in Kwaio, Solomon Islands (1996); Cash and shell money in Kwaio (1999); and Concealment, confession and innovation in Kwaio women's taboos (2003).
The David Akin Audiorecordings reflect Akin's extensive research of the Solomon Islands. The collection includes 207 audio recordings containing information about the Kwaio people; two photocopies of Roger Keesing's Kwaio Dictionary with annotations from Akin; two papers written by Akin about the Kwaio culture; and transcripts of selected cassettes from the collection.
The collection is arranged in four series: 1) WRITINGS BY AKIN; 2) KWAIO DICTIONARY; 3) TRANSCRIPTIONS OF SELECTED RECORDINGS; and 4) AUDIORECORDINGS.