Porpoises and Taro
Alkire, William H. (July 1968). "Porpoises and Taro". Ethnology. 7 (3): 280. doi:10.2307/3772893. ISSN 0014-1828.
- Has attachment: File:53755C66.pdf
Abstract: explores the complex social and cultural practices on the Woleai Atoll, particularly focusing on gender roles and rituals involving porpoises and taro. The research is based on fieldwork conducted on Wottagai and Falalus Islands between 1965 and 1966, with additional comparative information from prior work on Lamotrek Atoll.
The study outlines how roles and behaviors are distinctly divided by gender on Woleai. Women are primarily responsible for agricultural tasks, while men engage in fishing. Public and labor activities are segregated, and strict rules govern interactions between sexes. These societal norms help maintain social control but can also create conflict and dissatisfaction.
During specific rituals like the galigi, these gender norms are relaxed. For instance, men can consume women’s food, and women can enter traditionally male spaces like canoe houses. This temporary suspension of usual rules involves role reversals by figures such as the fdlu, a high-ranking magico-religious official.
The magic practices described in the text include recitation of chants that contain several verses. These chants are part of rituals involving taro fields and coconut trees, and the magic must be performed over several days[12][13][14][15]. The rituals reflect the integration of spiritual beliefs with daily life and highlight the island’s social structure and cultural practices. Overall, Alkire’s article provides a detailed ethnographic study of the social, economic, and ritualistic fabric of Woleai, examining how traditional practices withstand and interact with societal frameworks[.
Extra details:
MAG: 2796113071 OpenAlex: W2796113071 CorpusID: 150240958
