Values and Valuables: From the Sacred to the SymbolicCynthia Werner, Duran Bell In this exciting new volume from the Society for Economic Anthropology, Cynthia Werner and Duran Bell bring together a group of distinguished anthropologists and economists to discuss the complex ways in which different cultures imbue material objects with symbolic qualities whose value cannot be reduced to material or monetary equivalents. Objects with sacred or symbolic qualities are valued quite differently than mundane objects, and the contributors to this volume set out to unravel how and why. In the first of three sections, the authors consider the extent to which sacred objects can or cannot be exchanged between individuals (e.g., ancestral objects, land, dreaming stories). In the next section, contributors discuss the value and power of markets, money, and credit. They consider theoretical models for understanding money transactions, competing currencies, and the power of credit among marginalized groups around the globe. The last section examines the ways in which contemporary people bestow symbolic value on some objects (e.g., family heirlooms, pre-Columbian artifacts, fashion goods) and finally how some individuals themselves are valued in monetary and symbolic ways. With its emphasis on the interplay of cultural and economic values, this volume will be a vital resource for economists and economic anthropologists. Published in cooperation with the Society for Economic Anthropology. Visit their web page. |
Other editions - View all
Values and Valuables: From the Sacred to the Symbolic Cynthia Ann Werner,Duran Bell Limited preview - 2004 |
Values and Valuables: From the Sacred to the Symbolic Cynthia Ann Werner,Duran Bell No preview available - 2004 |
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advertising alienable American archaeological artisans banks Baruya base areas Bobo-Dioulasso Cambridge capital cash ceramics ceremonial chapter China Chorotega circulation clan coins colonial commodity Communist consumer consumption context cowries craft credit markets cultural currency Development diabetes Dreaming Economic Anthropology example fashion magazines Gaoua gender global Godelier Godelier's Helleiner History households human important inalienable objects inalienable possessions inalienable wealth individuals informal credit institutions Journal kinship labor land loans London mafen Marie Claire material Maurice Godelier Mauss means Mesoamerica payment percent pharmacists Philippines Pine Ridge political Port Royal potlatch production purchase relations relationships ritual role sacred objects San Vicente sell shells Shoppers Drug Mart sister social society Studies symbolic tabinaw taro things tion tiyospaye tobacco trade transactions University Press village Virginia Hewitt Volta region Wallendorf Warlpiri Weiner women Yapese York Yuendumu