article

Competitive leadership in Trobriand political organization

Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland • 90 • Published In 1960 • Pages: 118-145

By: Powell, Harry A..

Abstract

This article demonstrates how Trobriand political organization is based on the processes by which an individual rises to power, obtains a following, and then loses power, in which case control gradually reverts to the original component groups, until a new leader evolves. These dynamic processes give rise to a continually changing pattern of areas of co-operation within the autonomous village populations.

HRAF PubDate

1995

Region

Oceania

Sub Region

Melanesia

Document Type

article

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

John Beierle

Field Date

1950-1951

Coverage Date

not specified

Coverage Place

Kiriwina Island, Papua New Guinea

Notes

[by] H. A. Powell

LCSH

Trobriand Islanders