ABSTRACT
People keep relationships by remembering their obligations to give to another; in giving gifts I remember that I have a relationship with you. Any attempt to understand the habit of giving and receiving focuses on the complementary processes involved in that work. On the one hand a person gives away wealth, and on the other hand, obligations are kept to others. When the renowned kula trader honours another kula partner who has given him armshells over the years, by returning a beautiful necklace to him, he keeps his relationship with that person by so honouring him and by enhancing the renown of both kula partners for their largesse. By habit, Kiriwinians of Malinowski’s day gave away shell valuables in order to meet their obligations and keep their relationships secure.
