WEALTH, PRIMITIVE. In primitive society the social character of wealth is more apparent; the freedom of individuals to dispose of it is limited by the interests of the community as a whole. The motives which lead to its accumulation are not purely economic, for ambition and rivalry play an important part. Trans fer of it from one person to another is ruled by etiquette, often onerous, its observance backed by force of custom. Primitive wealth is embodied in objects of interest, these varying in type in different cultures. Among many African tribes cattle are the greatest treasure; the Indians of north-west America chiefly prize furs, canoes and copper plaques. In some societies human beings possess an acknowledged economic worth, women and slaves being transferable wealth. The close dependence of un civilized people upon nature renders food a universal object of value. But primitive wealth is not confined to things of purely practical interest. Luxury articles are often most prized. In the Pacific, fine woven mats (Samoa), feather capes and cloaks (Ha waii), large polished axe blades (New Guinea), and ornaments such as whales' teeth (Fiji), greenstone heitiki figures (New Zealand), or shell armlets and necklaces (Melanesia) play a most prominent part in the socio-economic life.
In primitive society rank and wealth usually go hand in hand. By gift, loan and rewards for service chiefs dispose of their in come to their people, and, generosity being esteemed a prime vir tue, maintain thereby their prestige and influence. The importance
of wealth lies in its distribution; hoarding is condemned. But as the economic and social life is built upon reciprocity, freedom in giving is also conducive to material prosperity. Destruction of wealth, as in the Amerindian potlatch, springs from an exaggera tion of this attitude of respect for wealth in action.
The manipulation of primitive capital and the financing of na tive enterprise on a large scale proceeds along these lines. When for example a Maori community desired to build a new house or canoe the chief generally took the lead. From his stores of wealth he provided gifts for specialist craftsmen. At the stages of work where a large quantity of labour power was required he assem bled the people and by providing them with meals, a feast or gifts of food, furnished the necessary incentive to them to undertake the task. The economic activities of a primitive people are marked by this constant circulation of wealth.
See B. Malinowski, "Primitive Economics of Trobriand Islanders," Economic Journal (1921), Argonauts of the Western Pacific (1922) ; R. Thurnwald, "Die Gestaltung der Wirtschaftsentwicklung," Erin nerungsgabe fiir Max Weber I. (1923) ; art. "Reichtum" in M. Ebert's Reallexikon der Vorgeschichte; R. Firth, "Some Features of Primitive Industry," Economic Journal (1926). (R. F.)