Sharing, Sociality, and Stratification.

Sharing is commonly associated with close and intimate groups characterised by symmetrical relations. In this essay, the generality of this assumption is challenged and it is argued that it is necessary to take into consideration the particular cultural and historical conditions of each case. Departing from the subordinate position, many Amazonian peoples experience in relation to White people I explore how the institution of godparentage is employed by Matsigenka people of southeastern Peru to emulate a sharing context in order to overcome the inequality of the relationship and thus allowing access to assumedly superior White people things. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]