ANTH 1002 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Marcel Mauss
Document Summary
*onka preparing a moka (possibly biggest moka ever) for another tribe. Moka results in increase in prestige and reputation. Onka cannot coerce others into helping him, only persuade. Kawelka a small tribe: only about 1000 people. *onka enthusiastically describes the great importance of the pigs. The expansion in the trade of pigs (and the arrival of the. *moka gifts are expected to be repaid with interest (pretty much obligatory). Technically, the word moka itself is used to refer to this interest. (just like mauss said) Thus, a moka isn"t always something you give out kindness, but also out of necessity/requirement. Ongka said that if his moka wasn"t repaid, he would slit the throat of the leader of the other tribe. Onka actually has 100 australian dollars in a bank, with 3. 3% interest. But he refuses to spend it, recognizing its value. Pigs acquired through moka are distributed to individuals.
