ANTH 1150 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Barter, Trobriand Islands, Cultural Relativism
17 Oct 2016
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Document Summary
Means of producing , distribution and consumption of goods. The process cannot be understood unless the culture is considered. Yams are akin to a bank account. Am exchange is present to trobiand society today. Men give them to the women to show support. Once a woman receives the yams, they are locked in her husband"s yam house. He can use the yams to discharge obligations and purchase desirable goods. He may present yams to the relatives of his daughter"s husband when she marries or make required contributions following the death of a member of his lineage. He must also organize a large yam competition and show his worth by giving away large quantities of yams to invited guests. The yam house is like a bank account: when full, a man is wealthy and powerful. The yams are a limited currency and can circulate.
