Argonauts of the Western Pacific: An Account of Native Enterprise and Adventure in the Archipelagoes of Melanesian New Guinea (1922)

This chapter discusses the northeast branch of the Kula, which is in many ways similar to the Kula expeditions already discussed. Kiriwinians (Trobrianders) speak the same language as Kitavans, with minor dialectic differences, and they are friendly toward each other, with frequent migration and marriage between Kiriwina and Kitava.

Subsidiary trade takes place though is limited because of the similarities between the two places. A Trobriand expedition would take, among other articles, wooden combs, lime pots, mussel shells, and lashing creeper on a journey to Kitava. They import various items like baskets, pandanus mats, and ornaments; none of these are of “vital importance” (379). In the past Trobriand natives could get kukumali, “roughly shaped pieces of green-stone” (379), solely from Kitava, which they processed into stone tools back home. Though these were greatly valued before the “introduction of steel and iron” (379), only the axe blades remain valuable, because the white men use these to purchase pearls from the natives.

The second half of the chapter turns to Chief To’ulawa, who has arranged with his primary partner for an uvalaku to come to Kitava. Upon arrival they perform a custom in which they damage the houses in the village.