Ongka’s Big Moka: The Kawelka of Papua New Guinea
NAME:_______________________
Main players:
Ongka:
a local big man [Big men are the informal ‘leaders’ in tribe-political association; they do
not have any power to force people to do things; rather they rely on persuasion to accomplish
goals]
Peroa:
Another big man from a neighboring tribe who are the intended guests at Ongka's big
moka (is a member of the PNG parliament)
Rumbicole:
Ongka's favorite wife
Riemer:
Ongka's rival, an aspiring big man in the Kawelka tribe
A note about what a
Moka
is : a form of
redistribution exchange
. Goods go to a ‘central locus’
and are then re-distributed to others (often determined by a leader/figurehead).
BACKGROUND
Ongka, an endearing and charismatic tribal leader of the Kawelka tribe of
highland New Guinea, has spent five years using all his skills as an orator and negotiator to
amass the 600 pigs and assorted other valuables — including a motorbike— which he will give
away in a festive ceremony, a moka. In highland society, status is earned by giving things away
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- Spring '14
- Anthropology, Papua New Guinea, New Guinea, Ongka, big moka, Moka
