People, Objects, and Money: Some Notes on the Introduction and Circulation of Objects Among the Xambioá (Central Brazil)

Abstract

In writing this article,¹ I have been guided by the questions of by what means the Xambioá deal with commerce and how it makes sense, and what part it plays in their attribution of meaning to the world. I attempt to demonstrate that the use of money, and internal commerce, among the Xambioá are not historical accidents. Money and merchandise are the objects of tireless experiences by the Xambioá. They appropriate meaningfully these allogenic elements and make them circulate in their own way. I suggest that the appropriation of a signifying element like money occurred not only because of its utility but because it is a highly meaningful element. People and things are introduced and are signified according to native logic.

Citation

Schiel, H.M. (2024), "People, Objects, and Money: Some Notes on the Introduction and Circulation of Objects Among the Xambioá (Central Brazil)", Wood, D.C. and Swamy, R. (Ed.) Health, Money, Commerce, and Wealth (Research in Economic Anthropology, Vol. 43), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 101-121. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0190-128120240000043007