In addition to the potlatch, Mausse also looks at the concept of the hau in Polynesia. Hau is the Maori word, which refers to the involvement of spirit, soul and belief in the process of exchanging gifts. It is believed that when the receiver accepts the gift, he or she must accept the soul of the giver in addition to the physical item part of the gift. In other words, hau is a type of spirit that is passed on to the receiver from the giver with the gift. The spirit is believed to be inherent in every gift as they are passed on from the giver to the receiver. This idea of hau shows that when one gives gifts to others, he or she wants the receivers to not just merely look at the physical gift but also hopes that the receiver recognizes the thoughts,
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He notes that the gift exchanging system in the Trobriand Islands is remarkably similar to that of Polynesia’s. This is because people in both regions had the principle of “give and take” in their mindsets when exchanging gifts. Kula is often described as the lesser extensive form of the potlatch. Mauss introduces the practice of Kula by using Malinowski’s explanations of it. Accordingly, kula is presented as the Trobriand word that refers to the ceremonial trade system. Not only the Trobriand Islands, but also other islands that are parts of the Entrecasteaux Islands participated in the system of kula. This practice requires people to send their prestige goods to other islands; and those sent items move around the islands in the direction of a circle that never ends. This is called the cycling of gift system. Mauss writes that, on the outside, the practice of kula appears as the act of giving. However, he argues that the act of giving is only a display to show the greatness and the generosity of the givers. Furthermore, Mauss implies that the only purpose behind this whole exchange system of kula was to enhance one’s social status and prestige. As a proof to his belief, the people of Trobriand Islands’ practice of kula are the example of gift economics. According to Mauss, kula lies somewhere between the concept of gifts
He notes that the gift exchanging system in the Trobriand Islands is remarkably similar to that of Polynesia’s. This is because people in both regions had the principle of “give and take” in their mindsets when exchanging gifts. Kula is often described as the lesser extensive form of the potlatch. Mauss introduces the practice of Kula by using Malinowski’s explanations of it. Accordingly, kula is presented as the Trobriand word that refers to the ceremonial trade system. Not only the Trobriand Islands, but also other islands that are parts of the Entrecasteaux Islands participated in the system of kula. This practice requires people to send their prestige goods to other islands; and those sent items move around the islands in the direction of a circle that never ends. This is called the cycling of gift system. Mauss writes that, on the outside, the practice of kula appears as the act of giving. However, he argues that the act of giving is only a display to show the greatness and the generosity of the givers. Furthermore, Mauss implies that the only purpose behind this whole exchange system of kula was to enhance one’s social status and prestige. As a proof to his belief, the people of Trobriand Islands’ practice of kula are the example of gift economics. According to Mauss, kula lies somewhere between the concept of gifts