ABSTRACT
Inalienability is a paramount characteristic of gift exchange (Mauss, 1970: 9-10, 18, 24). It means that 'the objects are never completely separated from the men who exchange them; the communion and alliance they establish are well-nigh indissoluble' (Mauss, 1970: 31). The possession of an inalienable object authenticates the authority of its owner and affects his other transactions. The ability 'to keep' that object empowers the ability to attract other important gifts. In other words, 'things exchanged are about things kept'(Weiner, 1992: 10).
