The Trobriand Islands:

1. The Trobriand Islands: The Kula Ring Circulation of Shell Necklaces and Arm Bracelets (Bagi) (Mwali) Based on the work of Bronislaw Malinowski

2. The Circulation of Gifts • In the Trobriand Islands, chiefs exchange gifts of shell necklaces and shell arm-bracelets with other chiefs in the “circle” of islands. Each chief has two trading partners: • One in the counter-clockwise direction with whom he would trade shell arm bracelets (Mwali) • One in the clockwise direction with whom he would trade shell necklaces (Bagi)

3. The Circulation of Gifts • As a result of this process over time, the necklaces and bracelets would circulate in opposite directions, completely around the “circle” of islands, and back in the direction of their original givers

4. The Circulation of Gifts • In the process, the giving of gifts is done in a ceremonial way; the gifts have little actual practical use, but are valued instead for the prestige they represent: • The prestige of the one who gives them

5. The Circulation of Gifts • In the process too, the giving of gifts obliges the receiver to return a gift of equal or greater value in the future--in ceremonial exchange that involves hosting of the visiting chief, and all the honor that goes with receiving the visiting guest.

6. The Circulation of Gifts • This gift-giving process obliges one chief to another, and each chief musters the connections and involvement of his own people as he makes arrangements either to host a visiting chief, or to bring ceremonial gifts to a host-island.

7. The Circulation of Gifts • Over years, this circulation of back-and-forth hosting/gift-giving plays out into networks of long-term social relationships throughout the islands of the “Kula Ring.”