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Trobrianders Chapter 5
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CHAPTER 5: MARRIAGE AND THE POLITICS OF YAMS
Social Organization
AUTHORITY AND THE EXERCISE OF POWER
POWER
* Every generation, one man who is the head of the matrilineage controls the land in which they live, until his death, as his younger brother takes his place, followed by his youngest sister's oldest son.
* The wife has the right to make certain decisions regarding marriage, if she wants to divorce her husband; she is allowed to do so.
* Chiefdom is important to the Trobrianders, and it is usually only the chiefs who practice polygyny, while other clan members practice monogamy
* A man can become politically significant in Trobriand society if he:
- has support from wife's relatives; thus demonstrating the important role of the wife's family
- has a large yam production
STATUS
* The largest yams were painted with white and black paint, reserved for the chief's wife
* Relationship of gardener and the owner's husband is evident through yam production, exchange and how the gardener is repaid
* Social status is dependant on the exchange of yams
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