Maring Hunters and Traders

Maring Hunters and Traders: Production and Exchange in the Papua New Guinea Highlands offers a detailed exploration of the intricate trade systems and ecological interactions of the Maring people, located on the northern fringe of Papua New Guinea's highlands. The book delves into how diverse ecological zones and cultural practices in the region foster specialized production and exchange networks. These systems are characterized by the movement of high-value goods like bird plumes, marsupial pelts, and ceremonial decorations, which are central to cultural identity and ceremonial exchange. By analyzing the production and distribution of such goods, the book sheds light on how ecological constraints, cultural values, and economic demands shape the social fabric of highland communities.

At its core, this study bridges ecological anthropology and economic theory to present a nuanced view of the Maring's trade dynamics. It explores how local production and exchange systems are influenced by environmental factors, cultural practices, and historical developments, including colonial influences and the emergence of a cash economy. The text further challenges conventional distinctions between trade and ceremonial exchange, emphasizing the interconnectedness of material and social relations. Through a blend of ethnographic detail and theoretical insight, Maring Hunters and Traders provides a comprehensive understanding of the adaptive strategies and cultural resilience of the Maring people within a complex and evolving highland ecosystem.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1990.