Lecture Notes: Ongkas Big Moka in Papua New Guinea

Introduction

• Location: Papua New Guinea, 100 miles off the north coast of Australia.
• Tribal Context: The Kowalka tribe in the western highlands.
• Main Subject: Onka's efforts to organize a significant gift (moka) to a neighboring tribe.

Onka's Motivation

• Purpose of Moka: To gain fame and status by giving large gifts, which include pigs and other items.
  • Pigs, rare birds, money, a truck, possibly a motorbike.
• Cultural Importance: The moka is fundamental to Highland life, symbolizing social status and relationships.

Preparation for the Moka

• Onka's Role: Persuader and organizer, not an authoritative leader.
• Tribe's Composition: Small tribe of about 1,000 people.
• Investment Strategy: Onka invested pigs with others, mainly with his father-in-law.
• Challenges: Timing, cooperation, and gathering resources.

Cultural Practices

• Pigs' Importance: Essential for social transactions, more valuable than money.
  • Pigs are symbolic, like Chinese pandas given to dignitaries.
• Moka's Role: Framework for societal interactions, akin to a social event and peacekeeping method.

Onka's Family and Lifestyle

• Family: Four wives, nine children; Rumbakul, his favorite wife, assists with pigs.
• Living Arrangements: Onka's and Rumbakul's houses are separate.
• Tasks and Responsibilities: Onka travels to motivate and check on preparations.

Challenges Faced

• Sorcery Accusations: Caused delays and tensions; accusations of sorcery in a rival tribe led to unrest.
• Rivalry: Competitions among big men, particularly with Raima.

Moka Details

• Initial Gatherings: Smaller moka events to collect pigs and other items.
• Financial Aspects: Involvement of money, mainly from coffee sales.
• Delays and Issues: Sorcery accusations and logistical setbacks.

Conclusion

• Final Moka: After delays, Onka’s big moka finally occurred with considerable fanfare.
  • Gifting included 600 pigs, $10,000, cows, cassowaries, and more.
• Impact of the Moka: Onka achieved his goal of enhancing status through this generous act.