ongka-film write ups

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Film Write-up/ The Kawelka: Ongka’s Big Moka Film Write-up for The Kawelka: Ongka’s Big Moka (1974, 52 min) Director: Charlie Nairn. Anthropologist: Andrew Strathern. Due 2/23 on Blackboard > Submissions Write-up lengths vary by student and film and word count is not a reliable indicator of quality. As a guide, strong write-ups might be anywhere from 2-3 pages (600-900 words). Some questions require only short answers. Others ask for more detail. It could easily take an hour to complete a thoughtful and polished write-up. Save this document with a new name then type your answers inline below each question. Ongka is a local politician, a charismatic big-man of the Kawelka tribe who live scattered in the western highlands, north of Mount Hagen, in Papua New Guinea. The film focuses on the motivations and efforts involved in organizing a big ceremonial gift exchange, known as moka . We learn about the importance of pigs, of exchange and of prestige in the life of these Highlanders. The film can be used to teach about competitive gift exchange and the political role of the big-man in influencing others. The Kawelka are horticulturalists who cultivate yams and keep pigs. This film traces Ongka’s efforts to gather backers and donations for his campaign to give a moka . We see him out on the stump drumming up support, preparing to meet the public at major gatherings, demonstrating his rhetorical and diplomatic skills, and at home with his family. The importance of support from hardworking and loyal wives is demonstrated. Tribe: Kawelka | Place: Papua New Guinea Main people in the film:  Ongka: a Kawelka Big Man  Rumbicore: Ongka’s favorite wife  Riema: Ongka’s rival, an aspiring Big Man in the Kawelka tribe  Perua: the Big Man who will be presented with the moka . He is a member of the national assembly of the, then new, sovereign country of Papua New Guinea. Write-up Questions: Answer all 1- 6 1. Based on the first act of the film [00:55-13:55], explain the key aspects of moka. What is Ongka’s role as Big Man? Page 1 of 5

Film Write-up/ The Kawelka: Ongka’s Big Moka - In Kawelka society, a ‘moka’ is a type of gift that is expected to be repaid with interest. In this ceremonial, economic gift-exchanging event, members of the society strive to bring the most expensive gifts – pigs, money, special birds, vehicles, and other luxuries – in order to earn fame and success. This gift-exchanging event occurs amongst different tribes, thus tradition strengthens ties amongst tribes and bolsters social strata of a tribe. Therefore, this event elicits the importance of gift-giving to increasing one’s own and tribes’ social status. As Big Man of the Kawelka tribe in Papua New Guinea, Ongka plays an important role in maintaining and influencing the social strata of his group. In the film, Ongka was concerned with paying back the Big Man of the Tongka tribe as that tribe gifted them 400 pigs 10 years prior. Thus, Ongka wants to repay them with at least 600 pigs for moka. The only way Ongka can be granted high status amongst his tribe and surrounding tribes of Western Highland is by outdoing his peers in moka 2. How are pigs thought of in Kawelka society? What cultural attitudes toward pigs are shown in the film? - In Kawelka society, pigs valued greatly culturally and economically. They are seen as cultural symbols of wealth, power and prestige to the Kawelka people. Even in order to get married, one must have pigs. By displaying a large herd of pigs during moka, the owner of the herd is seen as member of the tribe with affluent status and influence. Even though it is difficult to caretake many pigs at once, they are given away in public displays in order to show off one’s wealth and prestige to the community. Moreover, pigs serve as a form of currency. The exchange of pigs amongst tribes facilitates social ties and reinforces hierarchical structures within the community. This was best stated by Ongka, “It is pigs that keep us going. You need pigs for everything. You need pigs for moka, to pay troubles, and to get wives. If you don’t have pigs you are rubbish, you are nobody.” Overall, the film portrays pigs as integral to Kawelka culture, representing not just economic assets but also social symbols that fosters social connections and bolsters status within the society. 3. Who do you think is the intended audience for the film? How can you tell? - The intended audience for the film seems to be individuals interested in anthropology, cultural studies, and/or indigenous cultures. This is evident from its academic account of the Kawelka culture, and its focus on the socio-political dynamics of ‘moka’ ceremonial exchanges. Overall, the film caters to a niche academic audience with a specific interest in understanding and appreciating diverse cultural perspectives. 4. How does Ongka get people to do what he needs them to do for the moka ? Does he use different methods? What are his main skills or strengths as a leader? - In order to assemble enough resources and support to carry out a successful moka, Ongka needs the cooperation of many people in his tribe. Although he is the Big Man of the Kawelka tribe, he holds no actual power over the Kawelka people as he can’t order them around to get what he wants. Therefore, Ongka persuades his fellow tribesmen to help him, for the sake of tribe, even if it means that they have to stop their current daily activities. In the film, Ongka wants to be able give 100 pigs Page 2 of 5

Film Write-up/ The Kawelka: Ongka’s Big Moka himself besides the total of 600 pigs as the repayment. However, with just him, his 4 wives, and 9 children, that would be extremely difficult to do. But because of the Kawelka culture’s system of investment and repayment, Ongka has already putting a lot of effort in investing the pigs to other fellow tribesmen for 4 years with the expectation of repayment. But Ongka must also be very careful with collecting the pigs he has invested since there are no set dates of the repayment and the chance of his debtors refusing the repay on time before the moka is eminent. Thus, in order to carry out this operation while achieving his goals requires great among of persuasion and planning. Luckily, Ongka exhibited great leadership skills by being a competent speaker and coordinator to get as much people to cooperate and assembly resources. With his charismatic personality, he is able to captivate many of his tribesmen to listen to him and follow him. This is evident during his public speeches and events as he able to hold a large audience attention while also making a lot of individuals trust and believe in him and his vision. Thus, he is able to evoke a sense of unity among his supporters through these moving and emotional-driven speeches. Also, his speaking skills shows how good he is in persuading others as he is able clearly and concisely state the purposes and benefits of contributing to his needs and repeatedly convinces many others to do what he wants. Lastly, his interpersonal skills help promote his planning and coordination. He was able to form multiple partnerships with powerful and high-status tribesmen in the community, via public support and donations, through cultivating close social bonds. He was able to make this very personal bonds within a diverse network of individuals. 5. Toward the film’s end [53:10], Ongka says, "Now that I have given you all these things, I have won. I have knocked you down by giving so much." If the prestige of winning is one motivation for moka, what other functions does moka serve in this society? - Although gaining prestige from wining is one motivation for moka, the activity also fulfils a number of other vital functions in Kawelka society. Firstly, it fosters social cohesion and alliances by bringing together different factions within the community. Through collaborative efforts and mutual assistance, moka strengthens the sense of community among the Kawelka people, establishing a network of reciprocal obligations through the exchange of gifts. Secondly, moka functions as a mechanism for redistributing resources and wealth within the society. Participants who receive significant gifts during the ceremony are obligated to distribute them to others, promoting economic balance and reducing wealth disparities. Lastly, moka serves as a platform for resolving conflicts and rivalries. By providing individuals with the opportunity to showcase their status and address any disputes they may have, moka offers a structured environment for negotiation and competition, facilitating the resolution of conflicts in the community. 6. What stereotypes of tribal people do you think the film challenges? What stereotypes of tribal people do you think the film might reinforce? Page 3 of 5

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