BARTER AS A UNIVERSAL MODE OF EXCHANGE*
by
ANNE CHAPMAN
. . . the conception of pure barter (gimwali) stands out very clearly, and the natives make a definite distinction between this and other forms of exchange.
Malinowski 1922: 189.
The earlier view that primitive tribes lived without trade in private domestic economy must be described as incorrect. It may be said, on the contrary, that even among the lowest tribes, consisting of hunters, trappers, and collectors, such as the Kubus, the Veddas, and the Pygmies of Central Africa, etc., barter is regularly carried on.
Thurnwald 1932: 141.
The literature on trade in nonliterate societies makes clear that barter is by far the most prevalent mode of exchange. . .
Herskovits 1952: 188.
Barter proper appears to have been carried on all over A ustralia.
McCarthy 1939-40: 177.
Introduction
This paper is addressed to what Karl Polanyi considered one of the main problems of his research: the determination of the place of economy in society. It is surprising that over twenty years after the publication of Trade and Market in the Early Empires1 — during which time considerable theoretical and descriptive literature has appeared on primitive economics — the anthropologists have given
* I wish especially to thank the following persons, who read the typescript, for their helpful comments and criticisms: Edith Borstein-Couturier, Gérard Bûcher, Michel Panoff, Joëlle Robert-Lambin and Emmanuel Terr ay. I do not mean to imply, however, that they agree with all the contents of this paper.
1. Edited by Karl Polanyi, Conrad M. Arensberg & Harry W. Pearson (1957).
L'Homme, juil.-sept. iq8o, XX (3), pp. 33-83.
