the trobriand islanders' learned to play cricket from william gillmore.
from whom did the trobriand islanders' learn to play cricket?
william gillmore
section::::historical background.









































cricket was introduced to the trobriand islands in 1903 by the british methodist missionary william gillmore, who hoped to reduce tribal rivalry and fighting. the modern-day version is very different from the game introduced by gillmore, as new rules and traditions have been integrated. 









































section::::anthropological analysis.









































in the trobriand islands, "kayasa" is a form of obligatory, competitive activity done traditionally in the form of ritual warfare. warfare with spears was replaced by cricket, as a peaceful way of continuing "kayasa".
trobriand cricket
trobriand cricket refers to a unique version of the bat-and-ball sport cricket played by the trobriand islanders. they were first exposed to the game by christian missionaries, who thought the game would discourage war among the natives. however, the game was quickly adapted to trobriand culture by expanding the number of players, adding dances and chanting, and modifying the bats and balls. since war between groups on the island was banned, cricket began to incorporate many of the traditional practices associated with war for the trobriand people. the game also reflects the objects of powers introduced to the islands by its british colonizers and american troops during world war ii.
trobriand cricket