For the Kuna, a nonindustrial people of the South American tropical forest, the world is perceived, conceived, organized, & controlled by oral speech & language. Thus, by exploring their ways of speaking, Joel Sherzer provides valuable insights into the nature of Kuna social & political organization, world view, religion, economics, medicine, & aesthetics. This unique work encompasses the full range of speech, from the dominant areas of ritual life-magic & curing, puberty rites, & politics-to everyday conversation, gossip, narration, & greeting & leave-taking.