Comparing Culltures

There are many differences in the decision making processes of both the Maasai and Trobriand cultures. From yams to circumcision both culture have different ways of marking the change from childhood to adulthood. Although the Maasai and the Trobriand Islanders are separated by almost the whole of the Indian Ocean many similarities can be drawn about the structure of decisions that are made. Even though the approach by which a decision can be made is different many issues that arise are the same. Overall decisions can be seen about names, leaders and family members from both cultures.

The Trobriand Islands are near the coast of Eastern New Guinea. There are many uninhabited islands within the area with only four main islands housing people. Due to the geographical location, the weather maintains high temperatures and high humidity. The most populous island, Kiriwina, houses over 25,000 people (Peters-Golden 250). Kiriwina is the home of more than sixty villages. Within each village the islanders live in thatched huts. Some of the housing structures use metal coverings for their roofs. Politically, Australia maintained administrative control up until 1975 when Papua New Guinea gained independence. The largest buildings are in the center of the village and are where yams are contained. Spiritually, the Trobrianders include practices of magic in their everyday lives. One example given in Peters-Golden’s book Culture Sketches relates how the act of fishing sometimes needs the use of magic. When fishing along the calm waters of the lagoons that are along the coast of the island magic is not needed. However, when out in the open waters where storms and wind rage magic is used for protection. Therefore when the Trobriand Island...

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...lage. One example of this occurring happened in the 1980s when the losing team burned the houses of the host village (Peters-Golden 258). The elders of the Maasai Tribe, however, rely on the moon to help make decisions. They determine whether it is time to attack by the color of the moon. When the moon looks to be red, it is time to attack enemies of the Tribe (Saitoti 22). However, when the moon is green, they do not attack. Another time elders have a role in the decisions of the tribe is when an individual of the kraal has a problem with the absolute head of the kraal. The man who has a problem with the head of the kraal can approach the elders and ask for their support. Unlike the Trobrianders, the Maasai do not plot to take out the whole family tree they instead garner support from influential elders and then approach the person they believe to be in the wrong.