Question

Big men accumulate wealth because A. they are chiefs who are trying to make their achieved status more permanent by engaging in conspicuous symbolic displays of wealth. B. the term big man refers to the liminal state that a Kapauku youth enters before marriage, during which he accumulates wealth in order to fund the wedding and pay the bride-price. C. they are typically war leaders, and as such they must maintain a supply of "grievance gifts" to compensate the families of warriors who die under their command. D. to become a big man, an individual must wear a tonowi shell necklace, which is imported from the coast and is therefore quite expensive by Kapauku standards. E. big men do not keep the wealth they accumulate but rather redistribute it to create and maintain alliances with political supporters.

Answer 1

Big men accumulate wealth:

E.) “Big Men” do not keep the wealth they accumulate but rather redistribute it to create and maintain alliances with political supporters.

In the Micronesian and Polynesian Islands, “Big Men” acquire notoriety through the use of influence and wisdom. They then use their influence, wisdom, persuasion expertise, and wealth to assist the community and gain supporters to build up their own “clan”.