Why does Ongka throw the biggest moka in memory?
In Ongka’s Big Moka, what is moka? Moka are gifts given to members of different tribes that they plan on repaying and are very important to these people. The size of a moka can bring the big man of a tribe fame and success.
Is Ongka a Big Man?
Ongka is a charismatic big-man of the Kawelka tribe who live scattered in the Western highlands, north of Mount Hagen, in Papua New Guinea.
What is moka in anthropology?
The Moka is a highly ritualized system of exchange in the Mount Hagen area, Papua New Guinea, that has become emblematic of the anthropological concepts of “gift economy” and of “Big man” political system. Moka are reciprocal gifts of pigs through which social status is achieved.
How does Ongka prepare for his moka?
Ongka has spent nearly five years preparing for this ceremonial exchange, using all his big-man skills of oratory and persuasion in order to try to assemble what he hopes will be a huge gift of 600 pigs, some cows, some cassowaries, a motorcycle, a truck and £5,500 in cash.
What skills does Ongka use in order to accomplish his goal of giving the largest moka ever given?
Ongka uses his charismatic speaking ability to show his fellow Kawelka that a large moka is in everyone’s interest.
Why does Ongka work so hard to organize the moka?
What motivates Ongka to work so hard in Ongka’s Big Moka? Another tribe provided his tribe with a moka, and it is a reciprocal gift so he is inclined to do the same. However, Ongka wants prestige and wants this gift to be bigger and better than anything before.
Why was Ongka’s moka delayed?
His speech-making skills throughout the film show how important it is to persuade people to work together. By the time the filmmakers were to leave New Guinea, Ongka’s big moka was postponed due to the accused sorcery to kill another tribe’s Big Man.
Why does Ongka want his moka to be especially?
What is a Big Man in moka?
Ongka is a “bigman,” a leader of a Kwelka tribe in New Guinea where a man’s authority and prestige are are derived in large part by his ability to organize a lavish “moka,” or gift-giving. The moka is an elaborate system of gifts which forges alliances and maintains peace among the tribes.
Who takes care of the pigs in Ongka’s Big Moka?
Rumbicore
Ongka has four wives and nine children. As illustrated in the film, Ongka has been married to his fourth wife, Riema, because she can help rear more pigs. One person can take care of 8 to 10 pigs at a time. His favorite wife is Rumbicore as she can take care up to 10 full-grown pigs (Ongka’s Big Moka).
When did Ongka’s hold his big Moka?
Ongka’s Big Moka: The Kawelka of Papua New Guinea is a 1970s documentary film, part of Granada Television’s Disappearing World Series which ran from 1969–1993. It was first aired in the UK on 11 December 1974, and was subsequently aired in the US in 1976.
Why are pigs important in Kawelka society?
Why are the pigs important in kawelka society? They symbolize value and status. Pigs are strong, pay for troubles, help you go wives and important in the peace keeping process.
How does Ongka rally his reluctant supporters?
How does Ongka rally his reluctant supporters? He uses his speaking skills.
What is a big man in moka?
Why is the enemy tribe so paranoid and aggressive at the death of their big man?
What motivates Ongka (and his fellow tribal members) to hold the big moka? Why is the enemy tribe so paranoid and aggressive at the death of their big man? They believe he was killed by sorcery due to the enemy tribe. Peroa would just as soon not be responsible for a return moka for Ongka’s people.
Why does Ongka work so hard to organize the Moka?
Why does Ongka want to arrange a moka?
The objective of Ongka’s Moka is to build status, prestige and fame for his tribe and for himself. Ongka uses Moka to elevate his status as the “Big Man” of his tribe.
Why are pigs important to Kawelka?
Why can’t Ongka’s supporters just deliver their pigs when they are ready on their own schedule instead of holding the series of small mokas?
Why can’t Ongka’s supporters just deliver their pigs when they are ready, instead of holding the series of small mokas? They can’t just deliver the pigs to Ongka because its more than just the pigs, it’s a way of making the peace, it’s a big social event, and a system.
How is a big man able to get together the massive amount of wealth necessary for a successful Moka?
In other words, how is a “big man” able to get together the massive amount of wealth necessary for a successful moka? Ongka cannot order people around he can only persuade them, he must be good at persuasion and have a big moka to trade. They plan the fighting the peace and the pig giving.
What are pigs used for in Kawelka society?
On the other hand, one member of Kawelka tribe says that “We used to fight and kill people. We didn’t care. We killed them with spears and axes. Their people were angry, so we gave them pigs to make them feel better” (Ongka’s Big Moka).