The Kuma : a study of tradition, freedom and conformity among a New Guinea people.

Abstract

From Precis - first paragraph: In an environment which is easy and fairly well stocked to meet the needs of a people who live by agriculture and pig-raising, the Kuma achieve material prosperity, even abundance, by means of primitive and slipshod techniques. Their material culture is simple and makeshift, compared with that of other New Guinea people. The men reserve the more spectacular and creative tasks for themselves, and leave most of the drudgery to their womenfolk. The overriding interests in the male-dominated society are pigs, women and material valuables, which the men exchange on behalf of their agnatic descent groups. Show more