~Yanomamo Reciprocity~
Yanomamo reciprocity appears to operate on a number of different levels. On a daily basis within a village, generalized reciprocity is evident with the sharing of resources such as tobacco, food, ebene, etc. With people outside the village, reciprocity takes on different levels of structure. If another village visits, it is expected that the hosting village will feed and provide shelter. It is expected in return, that the people visiting will reciprocate by inviting the ‘hosts’ to a ‘feast’ at their home village. Within the village as well as without, in disputes, reciprocal injury/insult for injury/insult is the law of the land. Shamans from different villages exchange medical cures and treatments, villages exchange daughters and women for wives, goods are exchanged whether they are needed or not, reciprocity of ‘feasts’ take place, which are critically important in building allies, and keeping relationships on good terms. Generalized reciprocity usually takes place among the closely related, with nothing concrete or immediate expected in return. As social distance increases, so does the need to reciprocate, resulting in balanced reciprocity. With balanced reciprocity, the strain on the relationship grows increasingly if time goes by without a gift being reciprocated. Negative reciprocity occurs among those with the greatest social distance and includes the most distrust, and need for reciprocity. It is a critical part of establishing ties and a friendly relationship, which can then in turn move to balanced reciprocity, and then to generalized reciprocity. |
