pouité

Pouití is a term in the theoretical anthropology of the Pouit culture, describing a system of reciprocal exchange that binds families and communities through obligation and mutual aid. It encompasses the giving and receiving of goods, services, and information within kin networks and across villages, with norms that emphasize collective welfare.

Etymology: The word pouití comes from the Pouit language, where pou- means "to give" and -ití marks collective action; the term is used to refer to both the practice and the social form it generates.

Practices: Pouití gatherings occur during harvests, weddings, and memorials. Households contribute resources into a communal pool; contributions are tracked informally and distributed over time according to need, status, and prior obligations. Leadership typically resides in elder councils or designated hosts; decision-making emphasizes transparency and consensus.

Social function: Pouití reinforces kinship ties, legitimizes wealth, and supports redistribution to maintain community stability. It also acts as a repository of social memory, codifying obligations arising from major life events and migrations.

Contemporary status: In modern contexts influenced by urbanization and external economies, pouití persists as a cultural concept and appears in secular philanthropy or community-benefit programs, often adapting to new forms of exchange while retaining its normative principles.

See also: Reciprocity, Potlatch, Gift economy.