Bronislaw Malinowski "Off the Verandah"

Fieldwork obstacles

- lonliness - culture shock - time investment - prejudices - collecting information - interpreting information

What was Malinowski's legacy theoretically?

Abandons 19th century evolutionism and outlined a new form of functionalism

What was Malinowski's legacy methodologically?

Outspoken fan of the extended field research which brought an end to decades of "arm-chair" anthropologists pondering in studies about social development and culture

The Kula Exchange

a system of exchange involving annual inter-island visits between trading partners who exchange highly valued and venerated shell ornaments namely the soulava (necklaces) and mwali (armbands) that circulate in opposite directions. The exchange expedition is characterized by a highly ritualistic process with inter-weaving elements of magic as well as fostering and maintaining friendship ties.

Functionalism

a theory that implies that a system of derivative requirements, through which there in an incorporation of culture and complicated economic pursuits, exists in all exchanged amongst people. all aspects of human lives were designed to serve basic human needs such as food and shelter, and how this exists as an undermining function of every social act and institution

Why did the Trobriand need magic?

a way to organize their social lives, to understand the world, to organize their thoughts about happenings in their life

Conflict Theory

results when those with the most resources exploit others

What did the Trobriand use magic for?

rites for love, fishing, gardening, weather & for almost everything

Participant observation

the need to immerse oneself in a culture in order to better understand it