ANTHROP 1AB3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Marcel Mauss, Trobriand Islands, Ring System
22 Dec 2019
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Document Summary
System of ceremonial, non-competitive exchange to establish and reinforce alliances. Islanders build eet of canoes and voyage to neighbouring villages - they exchange trinkets with the neighbouring villages. Only important men could afford to go on kula rituals. Trinkets worked to establish relationships between people - creates complex network of exchange. Reinforce statues - hereditary chiefs own the most valuable shells. Gift not important - social obligation is important. Are items that involve a transfer of value and a counter-transfer (a sells to b and transition is nished) Ongka = most prominent leader. big man of tribe. Spend years assembling gift for neighbouring tribe - dos important thing in life. Can bring fame or status - ongka must outdo his fellow men and overwhelm with the size of gift he gives. Legitimacy: socially recognized right to hold, use and allocate power. Ability of a person to impose their will on others.
