Potlatch and the articulation of modes of production: revisiting French Marxist Anthropology and the history of central Africa

Main author: Trapido, Joe
Format: Journal Article           
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id eprints-25796
recordtype eprints
institution SOAS, University of London
collection SOAS Research Online
language English
language_search English
description This essay seeks to understand the potlatch as indicative of a wider category of exchange. Looking at the similarity in wild exchange rituals between northwestern America and central Africa the article argues that potlatch ritual is not as an archaic remnant but a product of the interaction between capitalist and ‘human’ modes of production. In this dynamic ‘human modes of production’ (see anon) did not become capitalist, but rather there was a ritual escalation related to a series of non-capitalist imperatives based in rights in people and theatrical displays of authority. In constructing the theoretical structure used to make this case I draw on and seek to rehabilitate the work of French Marxist Anthropologists working in central Africa, above all Georges Dupré and Pierre-Philippe Rey.
format Journal Article
author Trapido, Joe
author_facet Trapido, Joe
authorStr Trapido, Joe
author_letter Trapido, Joe
title Potlatch and the articulation of modes of production: revisiting French Marxist Anthropology and the history of central Africa
publisher Springer Nature
publishDate 2016
url https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/25796/