Book
The fame of Gawa: a symbolic study of value transformation in a Massim (Papua New Guinea) society
Cambridge University Press • Cambridge [Cambridgeshire] • Published In 1986 • Pages: xviii, 331
By: Munn, Nancy D..
Abstract
The author presents an innovative and sophisticated approach to the symbolic analysis of sociocultural systems, based on her study of the fundamental practices associated with value creation on Gawa, largest of the Marshall Bennett Islands of Papua New Guinea. The Gawans participate in the long-distance [n]kula[/n] exchange ring, and it is through the fame that they achieve in this interisland trade that the Gawan community asserts its own internal viability. The focus is on the transformative actions that take place by means of which Gawans seek to create value. Although the author stresses intersubjectivity and the existential forms of social worlds, she also develops the idea of a pervasive cultural logic that governs the various value-producing practices of the Gawans.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2015
- Region
- Oceania
- Sub Region
- Melanesia
- Document Type
- Book
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- John Beierle
- Field Date
- 1973-1975, 1979-1981
- Coverage Date
- 1973-1981
- Coverage Place
- Gawa, Marshall Bennett Islands, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
- Notes
- [by] Nancy D. Munn
- Revision and expansion of the author's lectures originally given at the University of Rochester on Nov. 2, 4, 9, and 11, 1976.
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 317-325)
- LCCN
- 86017127
- LCSH
- Massim (Melanesian people)/Ceremonial exchange--Papua New Guinea/Values--Case studies/Social change--Case studies