A society where women hold the wealth and yams are basically currency? Sign me up.
The Trobriand Islands lie off the eastern tip of Papua New Guinea. The island society has a complex balance of male authority and female wealth. Magic spells and sorcery pervade everyday life. This programme focuses on two important events: the distribution of women's wealth after a death and the "month of play", a time of celebration following the yam harvest.
Direction
Observational style that lets rituals breathe without commentary overload.
Production
Rare 1990 access to ceremonies now heavily restricted or changed.
Director
David Wason
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Malinowski's original 1920s research made these islands anthropology-famous; this is one of the last pre-internet documentaries before tourism exploded.
The kula ring exchange system mentioned in passing would need its own three-hour film—this barely scratches the surface of Trobriand economic mind-bending.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
PG
