Traditional Trade
The formats and frequencies of traditional trade encompass a spectrum. At the simplest level
① are
the occasional trips made by individual !Kung and Dani to visit their individual trading partners in other bands or villages.
② Suggestive
of our open-air markets and flea markets were the occasional markets at which Sio villagers living on the coast of northeast New Guinea met New Guineans from inland villages. Up to a few dozen people from each side
③ sat
down in rows facing each other. An inlander pushed forward a net bag containing between 10 and 35 pounds of taro and sweet potatoes, and the Sio villager sitting opposite responded by offering a number of pots and coconuts
④ judging
equivalent in value to the bag of food. Trobriand Island canoe traders conducted similar markets on the islands
⑤ that
they visited, exchanging utilitarian goods (food, pots, and bowls) by barter, at the same time as they and their individual trade partners gave each other reciprocated gifts of luxury items (shell necklaces and armbands).
*taro: (식물) 타로토란
**reciprocate: 답례하다