ANTH 1000 Lecture Notes - Lecture 17: New Guinea Highlands, Primogeniture, Ascribed Status

• School: UConn
• Department: Anthropology
• Course: ANTH 1000
• Professor: Jocelyn Linnekin

Document Summary

Create their position through personal politicking and recruiting followers. Use gift-giving and kinship & marriage ties to gain allies and maintain/enhance their position. Gain prestige through big public giveaways (such as the moka ceremony of the papua. Make up the ruling elite of indigenous chiefdoms in the pacific islands (especially. Polynesia), africa, the pacific northwest, and some other parts of the world. Succeed by birthright (usually by the principle of primogeniture) to an established office. The number of big-men in a tribe varies, but there is always a ruling chief in a chiefdom. Can demand tribute and service from subordinates. Have the power to command the people under them. Are expected to care for" the people by redistributing goods to them. A good chief is supposed to be generous. The transfer of goods and services from lower ranking people to higher ranking people. Commoners ---> tribute, service ---> chiefs ---> generosity, care ---> commoners.