The Trobriand Islanders Case

Throughout the world, hundreds of cultural groups have existed and thrived. Many of them have been the stepping stones of the world we now exist in today and have greatly contributed to how we perceive the world before us. One group that has greatly contributed to anthropology today is the Trobriand Islanders.

The Trobriand Islanders were a group of people who lived on a small group of islands off the coast of New Guinea in traditional settlements. Their lifestyle and economy thrived well off of reciprocity and redistribution. One of their most important ceremonial systems of reciprocity was the Kula Ring. Through this system, necklaces and armbands were passed on to other men over great distances to maintain a good reputation and social honor. The gifts became a ritual, and would eventually return to the original owner if waited long enough. This system also reinforced status and authority throughout the islands since the most powerful chiefs would own the most valuable items. Those who receive the gifts can pass them on to others, but cannot sell them. Bronislaw Malinowski was one of the first anthropologist's to study this exchange and concluded that these exchanges had ceremonial and symbolic significance for the islanders even if there were no economic benefits. He became the founder of social anthropology and was one of the first to use participant observation while he was living and researching with the Trobriands.

While living with the Trobriands, Maloinowski also observed their matriarchal clans. Through this system, the wife's brother would be the one to head the family. In other words, the women would continue the line while the men would represent it.