Paper short abstract:

My poster will look at how movement plays a pivotal role in the formation and maintenance of social relationships in the world of inter-island kula trade in the Massim region of Papua New Guinea.

Paper long abstract:

My poster will look at how movement plays a pivotal role in the formation and maintenance of social relationships in the world of inter-island kula trade in the Massim region of Papua New Guinea. It will consider three different forms of movement. First, is the physical movement of persons to interact with their kula partners on different islands. In this section I will discuss how the way this movement is facilitated has changed with increasing access to motorized boats. Second, is the movement of kula valuables: bagi (soulava) and mwali, as well as food stuffs between kula partners. It is through the movement of this goods in which social relationships in the kula are mediated. Thirdly, will be a discussion ethical considerations surrounding the movement of the body in kula interactions. In kula interaction persons must be aware of how they comport themselves in order to be in compliance with rules of etiquette, how one moves is an important element of this etiquette system. My poster will draw primarily from a Dobuan perspective on kula, which will serve as an example of how exchange is performed in the southern region of the kula ring.