article

Feasts in New Ireland: the social function of eating

American anthropologist34 • Published In 1932 • Pages: 236-247

By: Powdermaker, Hortense.

Abstract
This article, as the title suggests, discusses the function of eating as it occurs under communal-ritual conditions. The author presents a theoretical introduction to the subject, and descriptive data concerning feasting among the people of Lesu as she observed it on numerous occasions related to life cycle rites, economic transactions, war and peace, and other events. Preparations, the roles of men compared to those of women, moiety activities, trade and gift exchange, and other customs are discussed when pertinent to the feast itself. The author summarizes her data and concludes that feasts are a form of ritual serving to impress the sentiments of the society upon the individual, thus maintaining the existence of the former.
Subjects
Diet
Food preparation
Division of labor by gender
Eating
Gender status
Visiting and hospitality
Exchange transactions
Status, role, and prestige
Termination of marriage
Community structure
Instigation of war
Residence
Burial practices and funerals
Rest days and holidays
Gift giving
Ethnometeorology
culture
Lesu
HRAF PubDate
2012
Region
Oceania
Sub Region
Melanesia
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
George R. Bedell ; 1961
Field Date
1929-1930
Coverage Date
1920-1932
Coverage Place
Lesu, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea
Notes
Hortense Powdermaker
LCCN
17015424
LCSH
New Ireland Province (Papua New Guinea)
Ethnology--Papua New Guinea--New Ireland
Lesu, New Ireland (Papua New Guinea)