ABSTRACT
Changing economic and social circumstances in the Chimbu area have not reduced the frequency of conflict. When fighting is eliminated as a means of reacting to conflict, then other traditional means, such as threat or suspicion of sorcery, may increase, or new modes of dealing with conflict, such as mediation, may appear. The more permanent and stable settlements, with large gardens, more pigs and more people, and the consequent reduction in the movements of people, may bring about a higher rate of conflict. Inheritance of improved land, trees and houses is more important, and property is more closely guarded. The increase in quantity and variety of property, the uneven growth of wealth, may tempt more thieves. Monogamy, with the traditional long tabu on sexual relations after childbirth, may lead to more adultery and other sexual offenses than the previous conditions which allowed polygyny. Wider ties and contact with strangers may stimulate an increase in sorcery beliefs and accusations. The introduction of card gambling games has been accompanied by fights between players and over debts. The introduction of coffee as a tree crop makes land encroachment and crop damage by pigs a serious threat to income. The introduction of new, costly and valued varieties of pigs, dogs, chickens and ducks has also made the loss or theft of livestock a serious offense. These increasing concerns for property make conflict at least as likely and perhaps more common than in pre-contact days: people have more to lose, and less opportunity to regain losses by self-help.
