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The early ethnological works of Alfred Métraux are analysed bearing in mind his first fieldwork trip to the Chiriguano, in 1929. The paper discusses personal, academic and professional features of Métraux’s ethnological experience, the nature of the 1929 trip and his concrete relationships with the Chiriguano groups and individuals. Next, we analyse his ideas on material culture as a priviledged means of understanding the synthes is of Andean, Chaco and Amazonian cultural influences. Finally, the dilemmas and limitations of his analytical approach regarding Créole cultural influence and social and cultural change are discussed.

The Chiriguano Ethnology of Alfred Métraux. The paper analyzes the influence of Erland Nordenskiöld and Marcel Mauss on the early academic, intellectual and professional career of Alfred Métraux. In a broader perspective it focuses on the theoretical and methodological influence of French sociology and the Scandinavian school of Americanist ethnology on Métraux’s first researches on historical and living Tupi-Guarani groups, particularly the Tupinamba and Chiriguano. We pursue our analysis across diverse aspects of Métraux’s work, including: his treatment of religion and prophetism among the Tupinamba; his participation in the pioneer project that created the Ethnology Institute in Tucuman; the manifestation of ideology, inherited prejudice and esthetic values in his gathering of material culture collections; the singularities of Métraux’s fieldwork and its impact on his relationship with the Chiriguano; his thesis that Chiriguano pottery reflected particular mixtures of Andean, Chaco and Amazonian influences; and, finally, the significant link he found between mythic symbolism and the feminine universe.

Chané aristocracies. « Houses » in the Argentinian and Bolivian Chaco. While the classic views of chané leadership posits powerless leaders and democratic assemblies, ethnographical and ethnohistorical data suggest to the contrary quite powerful and hereditary dynasties. After presenting two case-studies, the Chané of northwestern Argentina and the Bolivian Izoceños, the application of the concept of « House » – as developed by Lévi-Strauss – is proposed in order to explain the Chané political system. It is argued that the traditional account of the leadership is mainly a « Guaranized » one, which can not fully explain the Chané facts. The final section deals with the future of the Chané Houses in the more « democratic » times impulsed by contemporary indigenous movements.