ADOPTION

Acts of giving, accepting, and reciprocating ‘gifts’ bring about a certain level of expectations and sometimes fears. Certain objects intrinsically carry with it supernatural powers and therefore cannot be exchanged with others. Therefore, possessions reflect the identify of oneself. Their most important possessions are adopted.

To adopt something means to take care of and protect the object from outside forces. A common object to adopt is their boats.

Exchanges

Items carry meaning and value to the Orang Laut. There is a one-to-one relationship between belonging to a group and an object. Because of this belief that items reflect oneself certain items may be avoided during exchanges which may signify cultural contrasts between various groups.

“Classify aretfacts and skills into categories to reinforce their material expression and intersubjective order for patterns of interaction. These artefacts and skills have become positional markers to signify their relatedness or difference. They range from items with inherent meanings and values to those whose meanings and values undergo redefinition as they circulate thorough different domains of exchange.