Canadian-based social anthropologist Associate Prof Susanne Kuehling has gained insights into traditional gift exchanges in parts of Papua New Guinea by studying Kula valuables in the Otago Museum's collection.
Prof Kuehling, a German-born academic from the University of Regina, in Saskatchewan, has been studying red shell necklaces, known as bagi or soulava, and white shell armlets, known as mwali, at the museum this week.
During earlier PhD studies, she undertook fieldwork on Dobu Island, near the eastern tip of New Guinea, and has written a book on the subject.
These complex gift exchanges, known as Kula, provide important links between communities in the area.
She plans to publish further research after her visit to the museum and other institutions in Australia.
The current generation of Kula masters, who are senior specialists in the tradition, believe the Kula exchange system is at risk, and future generations may not take it seriously.
Her project, funded by the Canadian Social Science Council, aims to answer these concerns.
She has been helping to draft a ''constitution'' for the correct way of making the gifts, and discussing ways to increase the tradition's attractiveness for younger people.
The museum has about 18 of the armlets, some from the 19th century, and about six related necklaces from the area.
Prof Kuehling said museum staff had been friendly and supportive.
Museum humanities curator Moira White said Prof Kuehling planned to show photographs of the museum's Kula items to Kula masters - senior specialists in the tradition on Dobu Island - and to advise the museum about their response.
This research was providing the museum with valuable information about the artefacts, Ms White said.
