ABSTRACT
It has been mentioned before, in Chapter XVI that in April, 1918, To'uluwa had come to Sinaketa in connection with the uvalaku visit of the Dobuans. To'uluwa is the present chief of Omarakana, indeed, the last chief of Kiriwina, for after his death no one will succeed him. His power has been broken by the interference of Government officials and the influence of Mission work. The power of the Trobriand chief lay mainly in his wealth, and this he was able to keep constantly at a high level through the institution of polygamy. Now that he is
forbidden to acquire more wives, though he may keep his old ones ; and now that his successor will not be allowed to follow this immemorial custom of polygamy practised by their dynasty, the power of the chief has no basis, and has to a great extent collapsed.
