Baloma; The Spirits of the Dead in the Trobriand Islands

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

Baloma; The Spirits of the Dead in the Trobriand Islands

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Malinowski's seminal ethnography explores Trobriand Island beliefs regarding spirits, mortuary rituals, and the social logic linking ancestors to lineage. With meticulous fieldwork, he details the dual nature of spirits: the harmless 'kosi' and the powerful 'baloma,' revealing a culture where magic, sorcery, and social structure intertwine.

Summary up to 500 words

In *Baloma; The Spirits of the Dead in the Trobriand Islands*, Bronislaw Malinowski presents a rigorous ethnographical examination of the spiritual and social life of the Trobriand Islanders, demonstrating that their beliefs are not 'prelogical' but follow a consistent internal logic deeply embedded in their social structure. Malinowski distinguishes between two primary spirits: the *kosi*, a frivolous ghost that haunts the deceased's former haunts for a few days before vanishing, and the *baloma*, the main spirit that journeys to the island of Tuma. While the living mourn the dead with complex ceremonies involving feasts and wailing, Malinowski notes these activities do not influence the spirit's welfare. Instead, the community faces a genuine threat from the *mulukuausi*, invisible sorceresses who feed on carrion and attack the living, particularly at sea. To ward off these entities, powerful magic spells are required before distant voyages or the construction of large canoes. The text extensively covers the role of the *baloma* in magic systems, specifically in fishing rituals for sharks and mullet. In these ceremonies, female spirits (*tolipoula*) are invoked as the masters of the sea. Magic spells invariably include extensive lists of ancestral names, reflecting the belief that ancestors actively participate in fostering success or preventing disaster. Malinowski argues these names are essential components of the spell's efficacy, not mere formalities. The book also addresses the complex social logic of paternity, where a child is believed to be brought by the *baloma* of the mother's mother, challenging Western notions of biological fatherhood. Through rigorous observation, Malinowski demonstrates that native beliefs are integral to the community's daily survival, asserting that the native mind is not inferior but operates within its own coherent framework of cause and effect.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/bronislaw-malinowski_baloma-the-spirits-of-the-dead-in-the-trobriand-islands.epub

Local file path

data/epubs/url-8d1c18e7938b50ae.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-01 18:22 UTC

Categories

• Folklore
• Ethnography
• Anthropology