Cultural Anthropology Final Exam

Compilation of Notes turned into a study set

Who are the Gebusi?

A small-scale rainforest society in Papua New Guinea studied by Bruce Knauft.

Where do the Gebusi live?

The lowland tropical rainforest of Western Province, PNG.

When did Knauft first live with the Gebusi?

1980-1982.

Major time periods Knauft revisits the Gebusi?

1980-82, 1998, 2008/2016.

What was the biggest theme of Knauft's research?

How culture transforms under outside influence (colonialism, markets, religion, schools, government).

Gebusi subsistence strategy (1980-82)

Foraging + horticulture (gardens), wild foods, sago starch.

Food production gender roles (1980-82)

Women garden; men hunt, gather, and clear forest.

Hunting success (1980-82)

Very low success rates; feasts make up for shortages.

Feasting importance (1980-82)

Shows generosity, alliances, social cohesion.

Mortality/Fertility (1980-82)

High infant mortality; low life expectancy; many deaths untreated.

Population size (1980-82)

Small, scattered settlement clusters.

Food production changes (1998)

More market foods available; still garden-based.

Cash economy (1998)

Growing influence—buying rice, packaged goods.

Labor changes (1998)

Increased wage labor; school attendance reduces time for traditional subsistence.

Health (1998)

Access to clinics and improved survival rates.

Food production (2008/2016)

Mix of gardens + purchased foods; more chicken & store goods at markets.

Economic life (2008/2016)

High dependence on market economy; transportation costs limit access.

Mortality (2008/2016)

Lower death rates; more access to medicine.

Technology (2008/2016)

Cell phones, improved roads, occasional electricity.

Kinship type (1980-82)

Patrilineal clans; strong clan identities.

Marriage pattern (1980-82)

Sister-exchange marriages; balanced reciprocity between clans.

Residence (1980-82)

Patrilocal: women move to husband's family.

Political organization (1980-82)

No formal government; elders influence decisions; reciprocity maintains order.

Gender relations (1980-82)

Men dominate ritual life; women respected but excluded from male rituals.

Violence (1980-82)

Sorcery accusations lead to killings; major cause of death.

Kinship (1998)

Still patrilineal but clans less central due to school/church groups.

Marriage (1998)

Sister-exchange declines; more love marriages.

Gender relations (1998)

Women gain some independence through church roles and schooling.

Political structure (1998)

Government presence increases; local officials, police, elections.

Social life (1998)

More individualism; less clan obligation.

Kinship (2008/2016)

Nuclear families more important; clan ties weaken.

Marriage (2008/2016)

Romantic choice dominates; church weddings common.

Political life (2008/2016)

Deep involvement in national politics; voting very important.

Gender relations (2008/2016)

Women's education increases; still inequality but more voice.

Social organization (2008/2016)

Integration into broader PNG society via schools, media, migration.

Religion (1980-82)

Animism + spirit mediumship; heavy focus on sorcery.

Spirit séances (1980-82)

Central ritual where men communicate with spirits.

Sorcery beliefs (1980-82)

Main explanation for illness/death; drives social tension.

Initiation rituals (1980-82)

Lavish male initiations with symbolic costumes (e.g., bird of paradise).

Music & dance (1980-82)

Drumming, chanting, ritual dance central to male rites.

Religion (1998)

Christianity becomes dominant; sorcery strongly discouraged.

Abandoning spirit practices (1998)

Séances stop; initiations disappear or become symbolic.

New celebrations (1998)

Church events, school activities replace ritual feasts.

Moral worldview (1998)

Emphasis on sin, salvation, personal responsibility.

Religion (2008/2016)

Christianity fully integrated; charismatic churches grow.

Cultural revival (2008/2016)

Performances for tourism/PNG Independence Day revive some traditional dance.

Values (2008/2016)

Strong mix of Christian identity + national pride.

Identity shifts (2008/2016)

Gebusi see themselves as modern PNG citizens while retaining local heritage.

What ended sorcery killings?

Rise of Christianity + government pressure.

What replaced initiation rituals?

School ceremonies, church events.

Biggest changes after 1998

Roads, markets, politics, cash economy.

Main source of fun/entertainment (2008/2016)

Sports, TV, music, school events.

Theme: Culture change

External forces (schools, churches, markets) reshape Gebusi life.

Theme: Adaptation

The Gebusi shift from isolation to national integration.

Theme: Continuity

Gardens, kinship ties, and some traditions persist across decades.

Theme: Agency

The Gebusi actively choose what to adopt or modify.

Most important cause of death (1980-82)

Sorcery-related killings.

Why did sister-exchange decline?

Christian influence + more autonomy in marriage choices.

What institution replaced ritual authority?

Churches and local government.

Main economic shift by 1998

Movement from subsistence-only to cash + subsistence mix.

Primary difference between 1982 and 2008 Gebusi worldview

From spirit-centered world to Christian, modern identity.

Why are schools important?

They create new social groups and tie Gebusi into PNG nation-state.

Why did mortality drop after 1998?

Conversion to Christianity and improved health access

The Gebusi were the people Bruce initially wanted to studied

False

Sister exchanges are seen as taboo

False

Did Guy way commit suicide?

False - (was due to sorcerer)

Redistribution

The Gebusi did not have a political leader, in between band and tribe, but they are definitely a tribe