What can the exchange of gifts tell us about a society?

Essai , 2002 , 9 Pages , Note: 2i (B)

Archéologie

Exhange is the chief means by which things move from one person to another and it is an important way in which people create and maintain social hierarchy. It is a richly symbolic activity as all exchanges have got a social meaning which can be analysed and therefore gift exchange can give us insights into the social structures of societies. Exchange is also universal: it is unknown for people to produce and then consume everything directly, without any intervening exchanges at all and this means that gift exchange systems are an important aspect of life which can be studied in every society and different kinds of exchange systems can be compared. An example of a society in which the exchange of gifts can tells something about their social structure are the Trobrianders.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• What can the exchange of gifts tell us about a society?
• The Kula
• The Trobriand Islanders
• Regions of Specialisation on the Main Island of the Trobriands
• Exchange Systems in Trobriand Life
• The Production of Yams
• Kinship and Marriage in the Trobriands
• Harvest Presentations
• Categories of Exchange
• Sagali
• Pokala
• Wasi
• Gimwali
• Vava
• Buritila’ulo

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This text explores the role of gift exchange in Trobriand society, aiming to demonstrate how such practices reflect and maintain social structures. The analysis focuses on the Kula, a complex trading system involving various islands and communities, as well as the Trobriand Islanders' unique exchange systems for yams and other goods.

• The significance of gift exchange in understanding social hierarchies and relationships
• The Kula as a complex trading system involving multiple islands and communities
• The role of kinship and marriage in shaping Trobriand exchange practices
• The interconnectedness of different exchange systems in Trobriand society
• The use of food, particularly yams, as a form of wealth and social currency

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The text begins by introducing the concept of gift exchange as a universal practice with social significance. The focus then shifts to the Trobriand Islands, outlining their unique geographic features and the importance of exchange for obtaining essential goods. The text describes the various exchange systems prevalent in Trobriand life, highlighting the importance of communal labor and reciprocity, particularly in agriculture. The production of yams is explored in detail, emphasizing the significance of harvest presentations and the intricate connection between kinship and exchange practices. The text then delves into different categories of exchange, including sagali (ceremonial distribution of food), pokala (asymmetrical presentations to status superiors), wasi (formal exchange between coastal and inland villages), gimwali (barter), and buritila’ulo (an exchange triggered by disputes over yam quality).

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

Gift exchange, Trobriand Islands, Kula, kinship, marriage, yams, harvest presentations, sagali, pokala, wasi, gimwali, vava, buritila'ulo, social hierarchy, exchange systems, wealth, prestige.

• Université: Oxford University (New College)
• Note: 2i (B)
• Auteur: BA (Oxon), Dip Psych (Open) Christine Langhoff (Auteur)
• Année de publication: 2002
• Pages: 9
• N° de catalogue: V4699
• ISBN (ebook): 9783638128759
• Langue: anglais
• mots-clé: What