The Rope of Moka

In the Mount Hagen area of central New Guinea warfare has been replaced since the arrival of the Europeans by a vigorous development of moka a competitive ceremonial exchange of wealth objects. The exchanges of pigs shells and other valuables are interpreted as acting as a bond between groups and as a means whereby individuals notably the big-men can maximize their status. Professor Strathern analyses the ways in which competition between big-men actually takes place and the effects of this competition on the overall political system.