essay

Introduction

kula : new perspectives on massim exchangeCambridge, U.K. • Published In 1983 • Pages: 1-26, 539-548

By: Leach, Jerry W..

Abstract
In this article Leach updates Malinowski's material on the Kula as presented in his 'Argonauts of the Western Pacific' (see 1: Malinowksi). Leach does this first by reporting on the changes that have taken place in this institution since Malinowski's original observations, then by filling in the gaps in the data, and finally '…by reconsidering in light of this new evidence, just how far the theoretical issues posed by the system have been satisfactorily answered by past investigators or can be answered now' (p. 1). The article is divided into two parts, the first of which (Received Model of the Kula) provides a schematization of the fundamental structure and logic inherent in the Kula exchange, while the second part (Basic Interpretive Themes) is a distillation of the key ideas employed by theorists as an explanation of the total functioning of the system.
Subjects
Information sources listed in other works
Reviews and critiques
Theoretical orientation in research and its results
History
Acculturation and culture contact
Ornament
Bone, horn, and shell technology
Exchange and transfers
Gift giving
culture
Trobriands
HRAF PubDate
1995
Region
Oceania
Sub Region
Melanesia
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle
Field Date
no date
Coverage Date
not specified
Coverage Place
Papua New Guinea
Notes
[by] Jerry W. Leach
Bibliography: p. 539-548
LCCN
82004142
LCSH
Trobriand Islanders