Symmetry and Complementarity: Patterns of Competition and Exchange in the Enga <i>Tee</i>1

Exchange is the central arena for the articulation of the social structure of the Anganen, Southern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. Despite a vast array of potential occasions, there are two main categories of exchange, ‘mundane’ and ‘extraordinary’ (or ‘ceremonial’). These contrast strongly in incidence, the items used, structural logic and many other ways, each giving rise to a particular ‘vision’ of society. Mundane exchange is dominated by exchanges in lieu of individuals (at marriage, death etc.) and warfare related prestations. These are the most frequent exchanges in Anganen and lie at the heart of the process of social reproduction. By contrast, ceremonial exchange, yasolu, is rarely undertaken and is largely peripheral to this process. Ceremonial exchange can be seen as a response to some of the inherent deficiencies of mundane exchange. However, as is noted in approaches which posit a ‘dual nature’ to society, the extraordinary mode of ‘anti‐society’ lacks sufficient functionality to permit social reproduction. This article explores the differences between the structures of these two exchange domains and the consequences this has for meaning (concepts of time, kinship and politics, the role of women, symbolism and so on).

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Maternal Nurturing Substance and Paternal Spirit: the Making of a Southern Anga Sociality

Bonnemère¹

1993

Oceania

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The present paper attempts to understand what the Ankave-Anga are saying about gender, kinship and parenthood through the representations that take the human body as a focal point. I try to show that, while representations of bodily substances and procreation do not explicitly deal with patrilineality, they do underlie practices which pertain to the realm of kinship. It is mainly the existence of ties between an individual and his or her mother, and therefore with her kin, that is expressed. These ties appear to be characterized by the sharing of food, conviviality, joy. Overall a strong identity defines individuals linked through the female line. The Ankave, and probably with them other southern Anga groups, appear to be different from the ones already known with respect to ideas about procreation, growth and male maturation.

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Symmetry and Complementarity: Patterns of Competition and Exchange in the Enga Tee1

Cited by 13 publications

References 12 publications

Production and Value in the Enga Tee

Production and Value in the Enga Tee

‘Worlds at War With Themselves‘: Notions of the Antisociety in Anganen Ceremonial Exchange

Maternal Nurturing Substance and Paternal Spirit: the Making of a Southern Anga Sociality

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