Barter and Social Regeneration in the Argentinean Andes

This book explores the local modality of barter known as cambio in the Argentinean Andes, challenging the view that it is a non-monetary form of commodity exchange and highlighting its embeddedness within religious celebrations. It emphasizes the processes of value creation and subjective experiences in Andean barter, contributing to our understanding of how social groups create themselves through economic exchanges.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 236 pages
Publication date: 01 October 2021
Publisher: Berghahn Books

Despite the widespread prevalence of barter across societies, this mode of transaction has largely escaped the attention of anthropologists. Drawing on data from fairs in the Argentinean Andes, this book explores a local variant of barter known as cambio. By highlighting its inherent connection to religious celebrations, it challenges the prevailing notion of barter as a non-monetary exchange of commodities. Through an ethnographic examination of Andean barter, this study delves into the processes of value creation, encompassing both economic and subjective dimensions, to enhance our understanding of how social groups establish themselves through economic interactions.

Introduction:
Barter, a timeless mode of transaction, has permeated societies across time and space. However, despite its pervasive nature, anthropologists have paid relatively limited attention to this economic practice. In this book, we aim to rectify this oversight by examining the local variant of barter known as cambio in the Argentinean Andes. By focusing on its embeddedness within religious celebrations, we seek to unravel the complex tapestry of cambio and its role in shaping social groups and their economic exchanges.

Cambio as a Sacrifice:
One of the most striking aspects of cambio is its association with religious ceremonies and rituals. Fairs and markets in the Argentinean Andes are often accompanied by vibrant displays of faith, where participants offer sacrifices to catholic figures and local ancestors as a form of reverence and gratitude. Cambio plays a central role in these ceremonies, serving as a medium of exchange between the participants and the divine. Through the exchange of goods and services, individuals seek to appease the gods and secure their blessings, thereby reinforcing the interconnectedness between religion and economy.

Challenging the Non-Monetary View:
The conventional understanding of barter as a non-monetary form of commodity exchange is challenged by the ethnographic evidence presented in this book. Cambio is not merely a transaction between individuals; rather, it is deeply embedded within religious and cultural practices. It serves as a means of expressing gratitude, building social connections, and maintaining cultural heritage. By examining the processes of value creation in cambio, we gain insights into how social groups create themselves through economic exchanges.

Value Creation in Cambio:
Cambio involves the exchange of goods and services, but it goes beyond mere transactions. The process of value creation is multifaceted and encompasses both economic and subjective dimensions. On the economic side, goods and services are valued based on their utility, rarity, and other factors that contribute to their perceived value. However, on the subjective side, value is attributed not only to the material qualities of the goods but also to their cultural and symbolic significance. For example, a piece of jewelry may hold economic value due to its precious metals and gemstones, but it also carries cultural value as a symbol of status and wealth.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this book offers a fresh perspective on the study of barter by exploring the local variant of cambio in the Argentinean Andes. By highlighting its connection to religious celebrations and its role in value creation, it challenges the conventional understanding of barter as a non-monetary form of commodity exchange. Through an ethnographic examination of cambio, this study contributes to our understanding of how social groups establish themselves through economic interactions and the complex processes of value creation that underpin these interactions.

Weight: 364g
Dimension: 152 x 230 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800732117