Gambling, an activity completely foreign to Papua New Guinea before colonial influence, has remarkably transformed into a central nighttime pastime, eclipsing even traditional storytelling. In Money Games: Gambling in a Papua New Guinea Town, anthropologist Anthony J. Pickles delves into this fascinating phenomenon, presenting an ethnographic study that illuminates the significance of gambling in contemporary urban Papua New Guinea. This insightful monograph, rich in ethnographic detail and broad cross-cultural comparisons, offers a unique lens through which to understand everyday economics in Melanesia, intersecting with crucial theories of money, value, play, the informal economy, social change, and leadership.
Pickles’ work provides a compelling look at how communities adapt and indigenize new practices, in this case, gambling. It reveals how local populations in Papua New Guinea are not passive recipients of global trends but active agents who creatively integrate novel activities like gambling into their existing cultural and economic frameworks. This process of cultural adaptation and innovation is key to understanding the dynamics of social change in the region.
The Allure of Chance: Gambling as a Social and Economic Force
Money Games meticulously explores the multifaceted role of gambling within Papua New Guinean society. It goes beyond simply describing gambling practices to analyze its deeper social and economic implications. The study reveals how gambling is interwoven with broader economic practices, identity formation, and societal transformations in Papua New Guinea. This approach positions gambling not as an isolated activity but as an integral part of the evolving cultural and economic landscape.
One of the key strengths of Pickles’ analysis is his ability to connect gambling to larger economic themes. He demonstrates how gambling is not just about individual risk-taking or the pursuit of quick riches but is deeply embedded in local understandings of value, exchange, and social relationships. The book sheds light on the informal economic systems that thrive in Papua New Guinea and how gambling operates within these systems, often blurring the lines between formal and informal economic activities.
A Novel Perspective on Money and Value
This study is lauded as a significant contribution to the anthropology of economy, value, and money. It challenges conventional understandings of these concepts by examining how they are manifested and negotiated in the context of Papua New Guinean gambling culture. Pickles’ work provides a fresh perspective on how money and value are not static, universal concepts but are culturally shaped and dynamically reinterpreted in different social settings.
The book’s originality lies in its subject matter and the rigor of its argumentation. It stands out as a groundbreaking study that enhances our understanding of contemporary life in Papua New Guinea. Furthermore, it makes a novel contribution to ongoing debates about the nature of money and the social dimensions of economic life. By focusing on gambling, Money Games offers a unique entry point into exploring fundamental questions about human behavior, economic systems, and cultural adaptation.
Insights for Economic Anthropology and Melanesian Studies
Money Games is highly recommended for students and scholars interested in economic anthropology, the cultural and social dynamics of Pacific Island communities, and the interdisciplinary field of gambling studies. It provides valuable insights into the complexities of economic behavior in Melanesia and offers a rich case study for understanding the anthropology of money and value. The book’s engaging and thoroughly researched ethnographic approach makes it accessible to a wide audience, while its theoretical depth ensures its relevance for academic specialists.
Anthony J. Pickles, the author of Money Games, is a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow and Affiliated Lecturer in Social Anthropology at the University of Cambridge, and a Bye-Fellow of Wolfson College Cambridge. His expertise in social anthropology and his fieldwork in Papua New Guinea provide him with a unique perspective on the cultural and economic phenomena explored in this book. His affiliation with prestigious academic institutions underscores the scholarly rigor and credibility of his research.
Subject Areas: Anthropology (General), Political and Economic Anthropology, Cultural Studies (General), Asia-Pacific Studies.
