The Trobriand Islands, located on the coast of Eastern New Guinea, is one of
anthropology’s most “scared places”(Weiner 1). Malinowski and Weiner both did
fieldwork research there that later became significant ethnographic work about the
matrilineal society. Gender plays an important role in Trobriand Islands. Women and
men have different duties in the economy and with children. Additionally, for the
people of Trobriand Islands, food is not only something they eat, but something with
great social importance. This report will explain the Women and men’s roles in
Trobriand Islands and discuss how food influences their society.
Women are of genealogical significance in the Trobriand Islands because in a
matrilineal society, descent will be reckoned through women. …show more content…
The chief of Trobriand Islands is a woman’s brother. As fathers,
they are one of the most important in their children’s lives. It is father’s responsibility
to provide economic care to his children. According to Weiner, “Once a child is
weaned, it sleeps with its father” (59). In addition to feeding their children, fathers
also need to enhance their children’s beauty. Shells are the main decoration. For the
children of the Trobriand Islands, beautiful represents powerful and wealth, which can
bring them social and political advantages (61). Yams are the food of Trobriand
Islands’ people, more importantly, yams serve as currency, and they are men’s wealth.
Men expend tremendous effort in their making of yam gardens, but this is not for
themselves, it's for women. Men grow yams to their sisters, in other words, men work
for women. Because yams are not only the food, but also social signifies of the
highest order, how much yams men provide to their sisters means a lot. Piles of yams
of the gardens reveal the important matrilineal kin and affinal connections (84).
Therefore, men work hard to grow as much yams as they can. The roles of men
anthropology’s most “scared places”(Weiner 1). Malinowski and Weiner both did
fieldwork research there that later became significant ethnographic work about the
matrilineal society. Gender plays an important role in Trobriand Islands. Women and
men have different duties in the economy and with children. Additionally, for the
people of Trobriand Islands, food is not only something they eat, but something with
great social importance. This report will explain the Women and men’s roles in
Trobriand Islands and discuss how food influences their society.
Women are of genealogical significance in the Trobriand Islands because in a
matrilineal society, descent will be reckoned through women. …show more content…
The chief of Trobriand Islands is a woman’s brother. As fathers,
they are one of the most important in their children’s lives. It is father’s responsibility
to provide economic care to his children. According to Weiner, “Once a child is
weaned, it sleeps with its father” (59). In addition to feeding their children, fathers
also need to enhance their children’s beauty. Shells are the main decoration. For the
children of the Trobriand Islands, beautiful represents powerful and wealth, which can
bring them social and political advantages (61). Yams are the food of Trobriand
Islands’ people, more importantly, yams serve as currency, and they are men’s wealth.
Men expend tremendous effort in their making of yam gardens, but this is not for
themselves, it's for women. Men grow yams to their sisters, in other words, men work
for women. Because yams are not only the food, but also social signifies of the
highest order, how much yams men provide to their sisters means a lot. Piles of yams
of the gardens reveal the important matrilineal kin and affinal connections (84).
Therefore, men work hard to grow as much yams as they can. The roles of men