Differences between three varieties of reciprocity

This article discusses the three varieties of reciprocity - generalized, balanced, and negative - and their role in family, community, and wider society. It explores the concept of gift-giving and the importance of debt in establishing relationships. The article also relates the concept of reciprocity to the film 'Moka' and discusses the challenges faced by the protagonist, Ongka.

Running head: CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY 105
1
Cultural Anthropology 105
Name
Institution

CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY 105 2
Differences between three varieties of reciprocity as discussed in the text book chapter.
What role does each play in your own life experience as a member of a family, local
community and wider society?
Reciprocity is an exchange principle famously known as the Moka; it is characterized as gift-
giving. This normally involve two individuals whose sole aim is to give more than they receive.
For instance, an individual might give gifts to his or her enemy to establish some kind of
relationship by placing them in debt. One party must always be in debt for a relationship to exist.
There is no reciprocity if there is no debt in a relationship. There are three types of reciprocity:
generalized, balanced and negative.
An exchange that does not incur any calculations of values or immediate repayment of goods
or services is known as generalized reciprocity, this usually takes place among close family
members and friends. This is common in many families. In some occasions, many of my family
members for instance my aunt might invite us for dinner over at her house. She does this to
strengthen the relationship between our families and to always keep us closer to one another.
When the value and repayment of goods and services are calculated and are supposed to be
paid within a specified time frame it is called balanced reciprocity. The exchange doesn’t have to
be of the same product, this is evident in our day to day life. For instance, if a family member is
blessed with a baby we take her or him gifts and in return expects to receive a gift of the same
value or even more at a fixed point in future.
When one party attempts to get more out of the exchange than the other party, we term this as
negative exchange. This is very normal in my community where food is normally sold at inflated
prices when the vendors know that there are no other options for the buyers.

CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY 105 3
How is Moka related to the film?
The Moka is a system of exchange in the Mount Hagen area, Papua New Guinea that is highly
ritualized. Moka is the ceremony where the exchange of gifts takes place. It is through this
ceremony that Ongka wants to elevate his status in his community and build his fame and
prestige for his tribe and himself. Moka is what the whole story is all about.
What S******S does Ongka use to prepare for the big Moka?
Ongka collected a big number of pigs and married many wives as a way of preparation for the
Moka. Ongka uses his wives to help in the preparation of the Moka especially through taking
care of the pigs. Other items of value were also collected. He also prepared at least a hundred
men, volunteers, from his tribe who would help scout and gather all these as this usually
happened through the minor Maka’s that took place in the village.
What rituals are prestigious during the small Maka?
In the small Maka, the members of the community would showcase their pigs and other
wealth. They would give each other gift among themselves.
What specific challenges does Ongka face from other Head Men?
Ongka face the challenge of setting the date for the Moka with his greatest rival Raima. As
big as he is he has no authority. He can only persuade people to accept his plan, plot and
machinations. Raima, his rivalry, disrupts the Moka the night before it is to occur, he does this
by leaking information taking blame for the death of the other big man in the Tongka tribe by
sorcery. This caused a huge commotion among the people.