Affiliations through work in Marbial, Haiti

Métraux, Alfred

article

Affiliations through work in Marbial, Haiti

Primitive man : quarterly bulletin of the Catholic Anthropological Conference • 25 (1-2) • Published In 1952 • Pages: 1-22

By: Métraux, Alfred.

Abstract
This paper discusses the work relationships deriving from agriculture as one aspect of interpersonal relationships among the people of Marbial in southern Haiti. It shows that the basic economic unit in Marbial is the household consisting of a man, his wife and their children, sometimes other children of husband or wife, occasionally adopted children or indigent relatives, and possibly servants who work mainly for their keep. There are also many traditional institutions through which households promoted mutual support and cooperation among themselves. The most important of these included ron (working together in rotation on the field of each member) and kobit (obtaining extra hand in return for festive food and/or later payment in labor).

Community structure

Cultural identity and pride

Division of labor by gender

Labor supply and employment

Cooperative organization

Mutual aid

Labor and leisure

Medium of exchange