The Art of Kula (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"One of the best ethnographies of art ever written." --Howard Morphy, Australian National University

"This book represents an ideal accomplishment in its demonstration of how art can be instrumental in the reproduction of society." --The Asis Pacific Journal of Anthropology

Product Description

The Trobriand Islands have long been a source of fascination for explorers, anthropologists and collectors. Nearly a century ago, it was predicted that Kula, the exchange of shell valuables by Islanders would disappear. Not only has this prophecy failed to come true, but today Kula is expanding beyond these island communities to the mainland and Australia.

This book unveils the deep motivations and meanings that lie behind the pursuit of Kula. Focusing upon the visually stimulating carved and painted prow boards that decorate canoes used by the Kula voyagers, Campbell argues that these designs have profound symbolic meaning. The unique colour associations and other formal elements ‘speak’ to Vakutans about key emotional issues within their everyday and spiritual lives. How is men’s participation in Kula linked to their desire to achieve social immortality? How do the messages conveyed by the canoe boards converge with those presented in Kula myths and rituals? In what ways do these systems of meaning reflect gender? Providing an alternative way of understanding the significance of Kula in the Trobriand Islands, The Art of Kula makes an influential new contribution to the ethnography of Papua New Guinea.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Berg Publishers (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1859735185
• ISBN-13: 978-1859735183
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,687,227 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Subject Matter, Poor Execution, November 22, 2008

By	James I. Cole "grayspur" (High Desert, California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Paperback, 9.25 " x 6.25", 214 Pgs, 16 B&W Photos, 2 Maps, 3 Tables, 14 Figures Of Line Drawings.

The Massim Region of Papua New Guinea, and "Kula", (originally the exchange of shell valuables in the area), dererves a big-format, full-color presentation. Instead, we get 16 washed-out black and white photographs, and a small-format and "cheap" publication. The text itself is consistently interesing, and the book is described as "One of the best ethnographies of art ever written" by Howard Morphy of the Australian University. The problem is that the fine work of Shirley Campbell, (also of the Autralian National University), is let down badly by cheap artwork - this wouldn't be so bad, but it is not a cheap book.