Economic change among the Siane tribes of New Guinea

Abstract

In 1933, when the New Guinea Highlands were first explored, the Siane people used only stone tools. During the succeeding 20 years steel tools have completely replaced stone ones. Until 1945 Europeans did not affect Siane life directly, although the stimulus for economic change came from the introduction of steel tools and European goods. For 12 years the direction and manner of economic change was determined by native society, its exchange relationships and values. Since 1945 the Siane have been visited and patrolled, and indentured labourers have gone to the coast. But related tribes to the south continue to use stone tools and were first visited by patrols in 1952. The area presents a unique opportunity for the study of economic change taking place autonomously (though under European stimuli), and involving technological innovation and the introduction of new consumer goods in a completely "native" society. The recency of events permits a simple historical reconstruction, while the nearby groups, which have changed less, confirm this reconstruction. (First paragraph of abstract).