Rope of Moka: Big-Men and Ceremonial Exchange in Mount Hagen New Guinea

In the Mount Hagen area of central New Guinea, warfare has been replaced since the arrival of the Europeans by a vigorous development of moka, a competitive ceremonial exchange of wealth objects. The exchanges of pigs, shells and other valuables are interpreted as acting as a bond between groups, and as a means whereby individuals, notably the big-men, can maximize their status.Strathern, Andrew J. is the author of 'Rope of Moka: Big-Men and Ceremonial Exchange in Mount Hagen New Guinea', published 1971 under ISBN 9780521079877 and ISBN 052107987X.