Massim Mortuary Rituals Revisited

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Massim Mortuary Rituals Revisited Journal de la Société des Océanistes 124 | Année 2007-1 Hertz Revisité (1907-2007) Massim mortuary rituals revisited John Liep Electronic version URL: http://journals.openedition.org/jso/802 DOI: 10.4000/jso.802 ISSN: 1760-7256 Publisher Société des océanistes Printed version Date of publication: 1 June 2007 Number of pages: 97-103 ISBN: 978-2-85430-010-9 ISSN: 0300-953x Electronic reference John Liep, « Massim mortuary rituals revisited », Journal de la Société des Océanistes [Online], 124 | Année 2007-1, Online since 01 June 2010, connection on 20 April 2019. URL : http:// journals.openedition.org/jso/802 ; DOI : 10.4000/jso.802 © Tous droits réservés Massim mortuary rituals revisited par John LIEP* RÉSUMÉ ABSTRACT Alors que la région est célèbre pour la kula, les rites et While this region is famous for the kula, mortuary échanges funéraires sont en fait la principale dimension rituals and exchanges are in fact the prime cultural culturelle des Massim ¢ l’archipel juste à l’est de la focus of the Massim ¢ the archipelagos just east of New Nouvelle-Guinée. Frederick Damon note que l’exhuma- Guinea. Frederick Damon notes that exhumation and tion et l’enterrement secondaire, le thème central chez secondary burial, the theme central to Robert Hertz, Robert Hertz, faisaient partie des rites mortuaires des were part of Massim mortuary rites, but were prohibited Massim, mais furent interdits par le gouvernement colo- by the colonial government and Christian missions and nial et par les missions chrétiennes, et ont disparu depuis have long disappeared. Yet mortuary feasting remains longtemps. Les festivités mortuaires demeurent néan- vital in Massim societies. My article examines what moins essentielles dans les sociétés des Massim. Mon other aspects of mortuary rituals still make them a main article étudie les autres aspects des rites mortuaires qui concern in the region; and discusses mortuary exchanges continuent d’en faire une préoccupation d’importance of food, indigenous valuables and, increasingly, commo- dans la région ; et j’examine les échanges mortuaires de dities and money. I will emphasize that mortuary nourriture, d’objets de valeur indigènes et, de plus en exchanges are part of cycles of marriage alliances that plus, de marchandises et d’argent. J’insiste sur le fait que span at least three generations and are moments of les échanges mortuaires font partie de cycles d’alliances showdown in the practice of forming social relations matrimoniales qui s’étendent sur trois générations au and the internal political economy of local societies. moins et sont des moments de confrontation dans les Therefore, they remain so important in the area. pratiques de constitution de relations sociales et dans l’économie politique des sociétés locales. Ils demeurent donc importants dans ce secteur. K: Massim, mortuary feasting, exchange M- : Massim, festivités mortuaires, échange I had the good fortune to participate in the well studied anthropological regions in the two Kula conferences around 1980 which, I world. believe, made some contribution to the ethno- I have taken this opportunity to return to graphic fame of the Massim. From the time of Massim mortuary rituals. The anthology Death Seligman and Malinowski this relatively small rituals and life in the societies of the Kula Ring subregion has yielded formidable material for (Damon and Wagner, 1989) that resulted from anthropological discussion and has in the second the Second Kula conference’s session on death part of the last century drawn quite a number rituals contained a number of informative eth- of students so that it is now one of the most nographies of this topic in various Massim * University of Copenhagen, [email protected] Journal de la Société des Océanistes 124, année 2007-1 90 SOCIÉTÉ DES OCÉANISTES societies. It did not, however, constitute a published about ‘mortuary practices in their conclusive exploration of Massim mortuary barest outline only. A complete account of them rites. This was in part due to the absence of would easily fill a volume of the present size’ [the chapters by participants who, before and after volume of The sexual life of savages](ibid. : 149). the conference, contributed some of the most What he did describe conformed to the theme of innovating analyses of this domain (Weiner, Robert Hertz’s essay on Death (1960 [1907]). Munn and Battaglia). Neither does my article This was the sequence of rites from death and here pretend to present some definitive explana- exhumation to secondary burial and briefly to tion of the Massim mortuary complex. It is only the end of the cycle of mortuary feasts. Like a modest attempt to outline what I find are Hertz, Malinowski was concerned with the transformation of the social individual after some important aspects of it. I have drawn upon death and its repercussions on the living. Mali- the Death rituals volume, but also on earlier nowski described what to him was the bizarre and subsequent work on the theme from the customs of laying all the onerous and gruesome region. obligations of mourning not on the deceased’s My perspective is in some way that of an ‘real’ matrilineal relatives, but on the spouse and insider-outsider. My fieldwork experience is the affines (including, for a man, also his chil- ff from Rossel Island, the far-o easternmost dren). He noted, as did Hertz, a correspondence island in the region, marked off from the rest by between the decaying state of the corpse and the the Non-Austronesian language of its popula- ‘social death’ of the mourners, set apart from the tion1. However, Rossel shares matrilineal des- living by enervating taboos, as well as their cent with most of the Massim and other features ‘rebirth’ to normal life at the ceremonial lifting point to considerable Austronesian cultural of the taboos. Malinowski only departed from influence. The mortuary ritual on Rossel is much Hertz’s interpretation when he asserted that all downsized compared to that of the remainder of the mortuary rites proceeded without conse- the Massim. There is now only a single mortuary quence for the deceased’s spirit. It was transpor- feast shortly after the funeral, cantering on ted into the land of the dead shortly after death exchanges between the ‘sides’ of the deceased, and living happily there; unconcerned with the the deceased’s spouse and the deceased’s father. prolonged mortuary tasks of the living. Monta- Here is mortuary ritual cut down to the bare gue argues that Malinowski was mistaken here. bones, so to speak. The whole collection of food The spirit is well able from the nether world distributions so characteristic of the Massim is (Tuma) to appreciate the rites honouring him or absent. In some way this was a piece of luck. her, she says (Montague, 1989: 28). Presented with a simplified model of the ‘ele- Malinowski probably gave up writing an mentary structures’ of mortuary exchanges, and exhaustive analysis of Trobriand mortuary rites undisturbed by the bewildering overlay of innu- because he was unable to create a theoretical merable other exchanges and rites, I was from scheme that could account for them. This was early on impressed with the transgenerational due to his lack of interest in kinship analysis and aspect of mortuary rituals. This has made me a weak sense of social structure. His main invol- keen to distinguish it in the much more complex vement was with the individual and with psycho- material from other Massim societies. I cannot logical problems. He therefore delved into the pretend to master this extensive material in aspects which concerned his own personality the depth, but have attempted to draw out some most, the fear of death and the burden of berea- more general patterns and illustrate them with vement, and how they were played out in the simplified case material. I hope this may be strange orchestration of a matrilineal culture. In helpful in further comparative work on mor- a way, also Hertz’s discussion in his essay centred tuary rites in other regions. on the individual. Hertz was at pains to empha- size that death was a ‘social fact’ and the indivi- Fear and loathing in the Trobriands: Malinowski dual a ‘social person’. ‘Society’ both determined on death conceptions of the person and the soul, but also the state of the living during the liminal period ‘The whole mortuary ritual is’, Malinowski of transition after death. But his Durkheimian wrote, ‘perhaps the most difficult and bewilde- conception of ‘society’ was very abstract and ring aspect of Trobriand culture for the investi- unconcerned with the differentiation and rela- gating sociologist’ (1929: 148). In fact he tionships of its parts. 1. During a short visit to the Trobriands in 1980 I had the opportunity of attending a women’s sagali at the village of Sinaketa, but I did not attempt to record it. MASSIM MORTUARY RITUALS REVISITED 91 Weiner’s discovery of the function of Trobriand virtually always the result of somebody’s sor- mortuary rites cery. It does not only cause sorrow but also fear and rage. It takes time to reconcile the survivors. Annette Weiner must have the full credit of a Mourning duties are hard and protracted, they number of significant advancements in the are remunerated by prestations of wealth, as is understanding of Trobriand mortuary rites that the care the deceased took for other people, and contributed greatly to further research on these they for him or her. In a long sequence of mor- rites in the region (Weiner, 1976; 1978; 1980). tuary exchanges dragging out for years relations First, she showed that social relationships are among the living are repaired. This prolonged produced through exchanges. These are not tit- negotiation about social relations cannot pro- for-tat reciprocity but long term projects where ceed just verbally.
Recommended publications
  • Agricultural Systems of Papua New Guinea Working Paper No
    AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA Working Paper No. 6 MILNE BAY PROVINCE TEXT SUMMARIES, MAPS, CODE LISTS AND VILLAGE IDENTIFICATION R.L. Hide, R.M. Bourke, B.J. Allen, T. Betitis, D. Fritsch, R. Grau, L. Kurika, E. Lowes, D.K. Mitchell, S.S. Rangai, M. Sakiasi, G. Sem and B. Suma Department of Human Geography, The Australian National University, ACT 0200, Australia REVISED and REPRINTED 2002 Correct Citation: Hide, R.L., Bourke, R.M., Allen, B.J., Betitis, T., Fritsch, D., Grau, R., Kurika, L., Lowes, E., Mitchell, D.K., Rangai, S.S., Sakiasi, M., Sem, G. and Suma,B. (2002). Milne Bay Province: Text Summaries, Maps, Code Lists and Village Identification. Agricultural Systems of Papua New Guinea Working Paper No. 6. Land Management Group, Department of Human Geography, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, The Australian National University, Canberra. Revised edition. National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication Entry: Milne Bay Province: text summaries, maps, code lists and village identification. Rev. ed. ISBN 0 9579381 6 0 1. Agricultural systems – Papua New Guinea – Milne Bay Province. 2. Agricultural geography – Papua New Guinea – Milne Bay Province. 3. Agricultural mapping – Papua New Guinea – Milne Bay Province. I. Hide, Robin Lamond. II. Australian National University. Land Management Group. (Series: Agricultural systems of Papua New Guinea working paper; no. 6). 630.99541 Cover Photograph: The late Gore Gabriel clearing undergrowth from a pandanus nut grove in the Sinasina area, Simbu Province (R.L.
    [Show full text]
  • Faces of Melanesia
    NO SINGLEJUST ANNOUNCED: SUPPLEMENT! FACES OF MELANESIA November 17 – December 3, 2016 | 17 Days | Aboard the Caledonian Sky PAPUA SOLOMON Expedition Highlights NEW GUINEA TROBRIAND ISLANDS ISLANDS Kuyawa Island / LAUGHLAN • Join us on an award-winning journey Nakwaba Island ISLANDS Port Moresby that reveals the extraordinary diversity MELANESIA of Melanesia and its people. Fergusson Island / Dobu Island D'ENTRECASTEAUX SANTA CRUZ • Visit idyllic islands and isolated villages ISLANDS ISLANDS Utupua to witness time-honored traditions and Tikopia ceremonies including hypnotic drum- ming, melodic bamboo panpipes, and Espiritu Santo elaborately-costumed dancers. SOUTHERN PACIFIC OCEAN • Snorkel or dive over pristine coral reefs Ambrym populated by a variety of tropical fish— VANUATU neon damsels, clownfish, Moorish Port Vila idols, butterflyfish, delicate seahorses, and brilliantly hued wrasses. • Search for striking endemic birds, including the Solomon Island sea eagle, buff-headed coucal, and Melanesian megapode, amidst the lush, tropical vegetation. • Itinerary .................................... page 2 > • Flight Information ...................... page 3 > • Ship, Deck Plan & Rates ............ page 4 > • Know Before You Go ................. page 5 > © Sergey Frolov © Giovanna Fasanelli Wednesday, November 23 Itinerary KUYAWA & NAKWABA, TROBRIAND ISLANDS This morning we visit with the traditional Trobriand islanders of Kuyawa and view energetic, time-honored dances that Based on the expeditionary nature of our trips, there may be celebrate fishing and the seasonal yam harvest. Learn about the ongoing enhancements to this itinerary. history of the Kula Ring, a circular pattern of ceremonial trade relationships that binds the islands of Milne Bay and eastern Papua New Guinea together in a long-established network of Thursday & Friday, November 17 & 18, 2016 friendship. These islanders are also renowned for the exquisite DEPART USA quality of their ebony wood carvings, often decorated with Board your independent overnight flight to Port Moresby.
    [Show full text]
  • Black, White & Gold
    BLACK, WHITE & GOLD Goldmining in Papua New Guinea 1878–1930 BLACK, WHITE & GOLD Goldmining in Papua New Guinea 1878–1930 HANK NELSON Published by ANU Press The Australian National University Acton ACT 2601, Australia Email: [email protected] This title is also available online at press.anu.edu.au National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry Creator: Nelson, Hank, 1937-2012, author. Title: Black, white and gold : gold mining in Papua New Guinea, 1878-1930 / Hank Nelson. ISBN: 9781921934339 (paperback) 9781921934346 (ebook) Subjects: Gold mines and mining--Papua New Guinea--History. Gold miners--Papua New Guinea--History. Dewey Number: 622.3420995 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. Cover design and layout by ANU Press. First published 1976 by The Australian National University Reprinted © 2016 ANU Press Preface Papua New Guinean communities living on islands in the Coral Sea, near creeks feeding the major rivers of the mainland, and in villages crowded along ridge-tops in the interior, gardened and hunted over land containing gold. Most of the men who came hungry for the gold were from Australia. They carried with them the skills to obtain it and the beliefs then common among Australian working men about foreigners and blacks. Most of the diggers believed that their guns and their brains made them superior to any ‘coloured’ men. Some also thought that they were physically superior, although that was harder to believe after 1902 when the first black American won a world boxing title.
    [Show full text]
  • Cultural and Cognitive Implications of the Trobriand Islanders' Gradual
    Chapter 11 “ Masawa—bogeokwa si tuta! ”: Cultural and Cognitive Implications of the Trobriand Islanders’ Gradual Loss of Their Knowledge of How to Make a Masawa Canoe Gunter Senft Kwatuyavesa waga , Turn round the sail of the canoe, rakeda milaveta! its course is to the open sea! ( Oruvekoya song cycle, fi rst stanza ) A few days after I had set foot on the Trobriand Islands for the fi rst time in 1982, 1 I spied a masawa canoe sailing close-hauled toward Kiriwina, the main island of the Trobriands. Although I had seen Malinowski’s (1922/ 1978 ) photographs of these impressive canoes in his monograph Argonauts of the Western Pacifi c , I was over- whelmed by the grace and beauty of this sight. Three weeks later I had the opportu- nity to sail on such a canoe from Kaibola, the northernmost village on Kiriwina Island, back to Tauwema, the village on Kaile’una Island that has been my place of residence during my fi eld research on the Trobriands for more than 25 years now. My sailing experience with a masawa canoe is one of my dearest memories so far. In Malinowski’s times Kaile’una Island as well as Vakuta Island, Kitava Island, and the village of Sinaketa on Kiriwina Island were known as the best centers for canoe-building and as the places where most expert canoe-builders and carvers lived (Malinowski 1922/1978 , pp. 121–145). In 1982 Tauwema had eight masawa , 1 This chapter is based on more than 40 months of fi eld research on the Trobriand Islands.
    [Show full text]
  • Type Specimens of Birds in the American Museum of Natural History
    L Scientific Publications of the American Museum of Natural History e Croy American Museum Novitates TyPe SPeCIMeNS oF BIrDS IN THe Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History : Anthropological Papers of the American Museum of Natural History T AMERICAN MUSeUM oF NATUrAL HISTORY y P Publications Committee e SP PArT 8. PASSERIFORMeS: Robert S. Voss, Chair e Board of Editors CIM PACHyCePHALIDAe, AeGITHALIDAe, reMIZIDAe, Jin Meng, Paleontology e Lorenzo Prendini, Invertebrate Zoology NS PArIDAe, SITTIDAe, NEOSITTIDAe, CERTHIIDAe, Robert S. Voss, Vertebrate Zoology o rHABDORNITHIDAe, CLIMACTERIDAe, DICAeIDAe, Peter M. Whiteley, Anthropology F BI PArDALoTIDAe, AND NeCTArINIIDAe Managing Editor r DS: DS: Mary Knight 8. PAS M Ary L eCroy Submission procedures can be found at http://research.amnh.org/scipubs S ER Complete lists of all issues of Novitates and Bulletin are available on the web (http:// IF digitallibrary.amnh.org/dspace). Inquire about ordering printed copies via e-mail from OR [email protected] or via standard mail from: M e American Museum of Natural History—Scientific Publications, S Central Park West at 79th St., New York, NY 10024. This paper meets the requirements of ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992 (permanence of paper). AMNH BULL On the cover: The type specimen of Pachycephala nudigula Hartert, 1897, shown here in a lithograph by J.G. e TIN 333 Keulemans (Novitates Zoologicae, 1897, 4: pl. 3, fig.3), was collected by Alfred Everett on Flores Island, Indonesia, in October 1896. The bare, deep red throat, unique in the genus, occurs only in the adult male and is inflated when he sings.
    [Show full text]
  • Library of Congress Subject Headings for the Pacific Islands
    Library of Congress Subject Headings for the Pacific Islands First compiled by Nancy Sack and Gwen Sinclair Updated by Nancy Sack Current to January 2020 Library of Congress Subject Headings for the Pacific Islands Background An inquiry from a librarian in Micronesia about how to identify subject headings for the Pacific islands highlighted the need for a list of authorized Library of Congress subject headings that are uniquely relevant to the Pacific islands or that are important to the social, economic, or cultural life of the islands. We reasoned that compiling all of the existing subject headings would reveal the extent to which additional subjects may need to be established or updated and we wish to encourage librarians in the Pacific area to contribute new and changed subject headings through the Hawai‘i/Pacific subject headings funnel, coordinated at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.. We captured headings developed for the Pacific, including those for ethnic groups, World War II battles, languages, literatures, place names, traditional religions, etc. Headings for subjects important to the politics, economy, social life, and culture of the Pacific region, such as agricultural products and cultural sites, were also included. Scope Topics related to Australia, New Zealand, and Hawai‘i would predominate in our compilation had they been included. Accordingly, we focused on the Pacific islands in Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia (excluding Hawai‘i and New Zealand). Island groups in other parts of the Pacific were also excluded. References to broader or related terms having no connection with the Pacific were not included. Overview This compilation is modeled on similar publications such as Music Subject Headings: Compiled from Library of Congress Subject Headings and Library of Congress Subject Headings in Jewish Studies.
    [Show full text]
  • Download 676.32 KB
    Social Safeguard Monitoring Report Semi-annual Report September 2020 Maritime and Waterways Safety Project Reporting period covering January-June 2020. Prepared by National Maritime Safety Authority for the Asian Development Bank. This semi-annual social monitoring report is a document of the Borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgements as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. National Maritime Safety Authority Maritime and Waterways Safety Project Project Number: 44375-013 Loan Number: 2978-PNG: Maritime and Waterways Safety Project Social Safeguard Monitoring Report Period Covering: January – June 2020 Prepared by: National Maritime Safety Authority September 2020 2 Table of Contents ABBREVIATIONS ......................................................................................................................... 4 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 5 1. PROJECT OVERVIEW .......................................................................................................... 6 2. METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Languages of the World--Indo-Pacific
    REPOR TRESUMES ED 010 351 48 LANGUAGES OF THE WORLDINDOPACIFIC'FASCICLE THREE. BY VOEGELINg FLORENCE M. INDIANA UNIV., BLOOMINGTON REPORT NUMBER NDEAVI.437 PUB DATE DEC 64 CONTRACT OECSAE14$11 EDRS PRICEMFS0.27 HC $5.36 134P. ANTHROPOLOGICAL LINGUISTICS, 6(9)/1125, DEC. 1E64 DESCRIPTOKS *LANGUAGES; *INDONESIANLANGUAGES, BLOOMINGTON, INPIANAa ARCHIVES OF LANGUAGES OF THEWORLD LISTS AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THE LANGUAGES OFMELANESIA AND POLYNESIA ARE PROVIDED. (THISREPORT IS PART OF A SERIES, ED 010 350 TO ED 010 367.) (JK) If U.I DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION AND INELFARE Office of Education rat docueunit has been reproduced mcacity as received from the O wow or Aanganization originanng it. Points of view or opinions aiAalsd df not necessarily. represent official Office at Edfocation, O IMMOgr poll* LU Anthropological Linguistics # Volume 6 Number 9 December 1964 LANGUAGES OF THE WORLD: INDO-PACIFIC FASCICLE THREE A Publication of the AR.c}nris OF LANGUAGES or THE WORLD An:throve/14yDepart:mot Wiliam University ANTHROPOLOGICAL LINGUISTICS is designed primarily, butnot exclusively, for the immediate publication of data-oriented papers for which attestation is availzble inthe form of tape recordings deposit in the Archives of Languages on of the World. This doesnot imply that contributors willbe re- stricted to scholars working inthe Archives at Indiana University;in fact, one motivation publication of ANTHROPOLOGICAL for the LINGUISTICS isto increase the usefulness of theArchives to scholars ehewhere by making publishabledata and conclusion
    [Show full text]
  • Visitor Information Guide Milne Bay Ecotourism
    Contents Introduction..........................................1 Once You Get to Milne Bay 13 All about Milne Bay 2 Transport................................. 13-14 General facilities in Alotau ............14 Milne Bay Province.............................2 Milne Bay Ecotourism Food, drink and eating out ...... 15-16 Natural Environment...........................3 In Alotau..................................15 Culture ...................................... 3-4 On the islands .........................16 Visitor Information Guide Religion.........................................4 Drinking water .........................16 War History...................................5 Accommodation in Alotau .............17 Language......................................5 What to wear.................................17 What to bring........................... 18-19 Milne Bay Ecotourism Experience 6 Health and safety ....................18 Activities..................................18 Community-based Ecotourism ...........6 Transport.................................19 /Attractions.... 6-8 Island Guest Houses Food and drink ........................19 y Island ........................7 Pricing and costs..................... 19-20 Normanb Fergusson Island........................8 Nuakata Island ............................8 Useful Resources 21 Things to Know Before You Go 9 Language Appendix 22 Milne Bay .....................9 How to get to Visas...................................................9 Travelling Responsibly................23 Money and currency.........................10
    [Show full text]
  • Maritime and Waterways Safety Project
    Social Monitoring Report December 2017 Maritime and Waterways Safety Project Prepared by National Maritime Safety Authority for the Asian Development Bank (ADB). This Social Safeguards Monitoring Report is a document of the Borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB’ Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgements as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. 1 National Maritime Safety Authority Maritime and Waterways Safety Project Project Number: 44375-013 Loan Number: 2978-PNG: Maritime and Waterways Safety Project Social Safeguard Monitoring Report Period Covering: July – December 2017 Prepared by: National Maritime Safety Authority Date: December 2017 2 Table of Contents ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................................................................. 3 1. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................... 4 2. PROJECT OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................. 5 3. METHODOLOGY .....................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Your Cruise Ancient Cultures of Papua New Guinea
    Ancient Cultures of Papua New Guinea From 10/11/2022 From Cairns Ship: LE SOLEAL to 10/21/2022 to Honiara, Guadalcanal Island This exciting tropical expedition on board Le Soléal takes you through some of the most fascinating natural beauty and cultures of Melanesia. Starting in Cairns, sail up to Alotau in Papua New Guinea's Milne Bay Province, and learn about the historical significance of the area with the WWII memorial as well as Japanese and American battlegrounds, and stories of pearlers, miners and missionaries. The two volcanically active islands of Ferguson and Dobu are next on your itinerary. Join your expedition team on a walk to the DeiDei geothermal hot springs through spectacular forests, and learn about the Methodist Church of Australia who established a mission station on Dobu Island. In Kitava, in the Trobriand Islands, you will be welcomed by spectacular cultural performances and traditional ceremonies by the local islanders, Transfer + flight Honiara/Brisbane and you will have the opportunity to snorkel and swim in the local clear and prisitin waters. Learn about the traditional trading system of the island of Kiriwana, Kula' ', as well as the local village life and more spectacular cultural performances. In the Solomon Islands, Ghizo and Njari Islands are where you will meet some of the most skilled carvers in the world, enjoy world-class snorkelling and diving, and visit the local traditional markets. In Roderick Bay experience the extraordinary environment featuring white sand beaches and tringing coral reefs before reaching the Malatai Province known for the local unique traditions and social aspects of live such as brideprice, as well as traditional music and sacred dances accompanied by traditional panpipers.
    [Show full text]
  • Words in Dobu Island Society Susanne Kuehling
    6 A Fat Sow Named Skulfi: ‘Expensive’ Words in Dobu Island Society Susanne Kuehling Introduction In this chapter, I argue that words for valuable objects and practices are a useful starting point to study the dynamics of change at the grassroots level. Innovative and creative strategies of dealing with globalisation do not seem to fit into categories like gift and commodity, old and new, individualistic and communal. I propose to focus here on the realisation of contemporary economic behaviour and the dilemmas that are confronted by strategic choices of vocabulary. My example explores a case of not- giving in order to demonstrate how Dobu Islanders assign value to certain words and the interactions that are associated with them.1 Knowledge of old exchange principles remains valuable when it is adaptable to new demands, and new demands are continuously emerging from the ever- intensifying contact with the global economy. Language needs frequent 1 Fieldwork on Dobu Island was carried out from 1992–94 and in 1997. This text greatly profited from a presentation at the 2008 European Society for Oceanists (ESfO) conference in the session on ‘Expensive words’, organised by me. I am grateful for the participants’ inspiring contributions and the discussion. I also want to thank Michael Young, Gediminas Lankauskas, and the reviewers for their ‘expensive’ comments. 193 TIDES OF Innovation IN OCEANIA updating in terminology and as words are assigned more or less value, they reflect dynamics of moral and economic aspects of life that help us understand the ‘Tides of Innovation’. David Graeber, in Towards an Anthropology of Value, notes that the word ‘value’ has been used in three ways in social theory: as appropriate moral standards (values); as the measure of an object’s worth; and as a linguistic category that refers to meaningful difference (2001: 2).
    [Show full text]