Post #4. Changing patterns of consumption

http://www.as.ua.edu/ant/bindon/Food%20and%20Power%20in%20Samoa.pdf

Globalization has had a large effect on Samoa. One of the main issues is the change is diet that has occurred. The introduction in western foods has changed the mode of production in most of the Samoa area. Before introduction The Samoans practiced farming and fishing, growing items such as “ breadfruit, banana, taro, giant taro, and coconut.” Samoans would also pasteurise pigs and chickens, as well as exploit sea creature such as fish and turtles. They where accustom to the mode of exchange Redistribution decided upon by the council (fono), where everyone received a different amount of food, but was never hungry.
After the introduction of Western foods not only Samoa did not want to return to their previous patterns of farming and fishing but local production would be insufficient to support their larger population. They turned into a monopolized community and started producing cash crops sold at local marketplaces. Over exploitation began to occur and the chiefs suggested going back to the “the traditional management system of
tapu or sa (forbidden), where the village fono (council of chiefs) would once again
regulate the taking of reef resources”. However, the Samoan people did not want to go back to their old ways, instead they continued to exploit the reef. New foods have been added to their diet, including rice, and steak (for a semi-important chief) while the production of there traditional foods are still taking place.
Another important aspect in the rate of obesity has raised, “families have
found ways to keep their reduced caloric intake in excess of their caloric requirements,
resulting in the continuing increases in rates of obesity (McGarvey et al., 1993).” creating more health problem then there previously was.

Personaly I think when the introduction of a monopolized economy takes place we should take more caution. New health issues ,smaller calorie intake and the general depression such actions can cause should be taken much more seriously. This is much like this Moskito indians and there boom-bust system: going from an economy of generalized receprocity or redistribution, to monopolized economy where people need to be more independant and rely upon themselves. Even worse, once the resources are exploited, who knows what will happen.