IDNO

T.132020.MST

Description

On Strathern's listing: Giving of pigs by Minembi Yelipimbo to Minembi Mimke & Tipuka Oklembo, plus shells to Oklembo at a moka (ceremonial exchange occasion). (Mimke = a clan within Minembi) (Oklembo = a clan within Tipuka)
Line-up of pigs and shells and discussion. Minembi Mimke pigs in view.
Pearlshells laid out on banana leaf backing, with one at the head, in front of men’s house (with grass growing on roof).
At moka pena (ceremonial ground) of Minembi Kambila (personal name).

Place

Oceania Melanesia; Papua New Guinea; Western Highlands Province; moka pena (ceremonial ground) of Minembi Kambila (personal name)

Cultural Affliation

Minembi Yelipimbo

Named Person

Minembi Yelipimbo Kambila

Photographer

Strathern, Marilyn (later Prof., Dame)

Collector / Expedition

Date

29 March 1964

Collection Name

Strathern Collection

Source

Strathern, Marilyn (Prof., Dame)

Format

Colour Transparency

Primary Documentation

Other Information

T.131993.MST - T.132027.MST were identified by Marilyn Strathern as Set 3.

Named Person: "Kambila, Minembi Yelipimbo M". [Information provided by Marilyn Strathern on 'List of Personal Names', KH 21/03/2017]

Context: moka pena = ceremonial ground. [Strathern's Glossary word document, JD 4/24/2017]

Context: moka = 1. General term for ceremonial exchange between partners coordinated in a single set of events, involving gifts of pigs and / or shells according to certain formulae, and in several stages, with the sequences eventually reversing so donors become recipients.
2. Term for the occasion of a ‘final’ gift in such a sequence, at which people – especially and often only the donors -- dance and decorate. The rationale for the gift payments may be in terms of warfare exchange, e.g. for enemy-compensation and ally-reparation payments (in 1970s, esp. N Melpa) or as ‘pure moka’, which includes pig-moka and shell-moka (pp3,48; MS word document “Order B (3) 1967”, p1) where payments to kin or allies may be made under all kinds pretext (1970s, esp. C Melpa). The size and significance of the moka will determine whether or not a festive occasion is made of the final gift. (Melpa). [Strathern's Glossary word document, JD 4/24/2017]

A grant from the Wenner-Gren Foundation Historical Archives Program supported the documentation and preservation of the Strathern photographic collection. [JD 6/11/2017]