Final answer:
The Kula system is a ceremonial exchange network in Papua New Guinea where men trade shell-disc necklaces and shell armbands to strengthen social bonds, establish status, and create alliances. The items have ceremonial rather than economic value and circulate continuously to maintain relationships and trust among different island communities. It is a subject of anthropological study for understanding socio-economic interactions and cultural norms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Kula system is a ceremonial exchange system conducted in the Milne Bay Province of Papua New Guinea. The Kula ring is a complex trading network in which men travel by canoe between the Trobriand Islands to exchange Kula valuables which consist of two types: red shell-disc necklaces (called soulava or mwali) that are traded to the north (in a clockwise direction), and white shell armbands (called bagi or mwali) that are traded in the southern direction (counterclockwise).
In this system, the value of the items is not economic but social and ceremonial. The exchange of Kula items helps to establish strong inter-island relationships, social status, and alliances between participants. It is important to note that the items cannot be kept permanently; they must continue in the cycle, creating a sense of trust and obligation among the members of the Kula ring.
Anthropologists study the Kula system to understand the social relations, cultural norms, and economic systems in this part of Papua New Guinea. The Kula exchange is not only a means of socio-economic interaction but also a way to foster peace and social stability through ritualized friendship and trade relationships.