Book
Kinship, economics, and exchange in a Tongan village
University Microfilms • Ann Arbor • Published In 1978 • Pages:
By: Morton, Keith Louis.
Abstract
This dissertation examines the relationship between ideals, conscious models, and actual behavioral patterns as a basis for attempting to understand how folk and scientific conceptualizations of social reality actually take place. Morton demonstrates how these principles operate through an intensive analysis of kinship reciprocity and forms of exchange (i.e., in terms of the flow of material goods and children by means of adoption). He concludes his thesis, however, by saying that 'Tongan behavior … is not predictable by knowledge of the conscious model of kinship reciprocity. Instead, the basic characteristic of exchange behavior is reliance upon members of one's family of orientation as a continuing unit for source sharing. The pattern of behavior also indicates that a balance flow of good exists between kin categories rather than the one-way flow stipulated by the conscious model' 9p. 120). In the process of explaining his thesis, the author also provides much valuable data on kinship, exchange transactions, adoption, geography, economic and socio-political characteristics of Tonga, and the economy in general. The material for this dissertation was gathered by the author in the village of Puke on the Tongatapu Island, from December 1970 to September 1971. Data pertinent to adoption was obtained from the larger village of Vaini.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2006
- Region
- Oceania
- Sub Region
- Polynesia
- Document Type
- Book
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- John Beierle; 1978
- Field Date
- 1970-1971
- Coverage Date
- 1970-1971
- Coverage Place
- Villages of Puke and Vaini, Island of Tongatapu, Tonga
- Notes
- Keith Louis Morton
- UM73-07934
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 124-127)
- Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Oregon, 1972
- LCSH
- Tongans