Kula necklaces bring students and teachers together
Teacher David Shanebeck wearing a Kula.
This year’s IB Social Cultural Anthropology class has started a Kula ring experiment to study the history of alliances in the Trobriand Islands in the South Pacific Ocean.
The initiator of the Kula ring would have to add something of value to his or her necklace and present it to someone he or she desires to be politically, economically, or socially associated with. In turn, that person would add another item of value to the necklace and pass it on. By forming as many connections as possible, one can always count on backup in tough situations.
IB Anthropology teacher Sharon Hollon said, “My goal is for the students to understand how a network of political alliances and systems can be created.”
The students designed decorative necklaces and chose their teachers and fellow students to be in their Kula ring of alliances.
“I think it’s really interesting how many teachers, administrators, and staff members have really gotten enthusiastic about participating in the project,” Hollon said.
Faculty members like photography teacher Gabby Kudron and counselor David McIntosh have been seen wearing these necklaces around campus — signifying their association with the student alliances.
