wantokism

wantokism

English

WOTD – 27 August 2015

Etymology

From wantok +‎ -ism.

Noun

wantokism (uncountable)

1. The Melanesian cultural practice of relying on one's wantoks for any need, and of sharing the fruits of one's personal success with one's wantoks.
   • 1988, James Cook University of North Queensland Committee of South-East Asian Studies, Kabar Seberang, Issues 19-20, page 35,

     The capture of a provincial bureaucracy by an ethnic elite and the practice of wantokism have had at least other grave repercussions for national unity and nation-building.

   • 2004, Frederick Errington, Deborah Gewertz, Yali's Question: Sugar, Culture, and History, page 197,

     Many of these demands derive, RSL^{[Ramu Sugar Limited]} believes, from the negative aspects of Papua New Guinean custom. These include wantokism, jealousy, exorbitant landowner-claims, and a handout mentality.

   • 2007, Ronald James May, Conflict and Resource Development in the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea, page 102,

     He thus had a broad view and no ‘tribal′ loyalties, with the accompanying baggage of wantokism and its inherent obligations.

   • 2009, Sarah Dix, Emmanuel Pok, Combating Corruption in Traditional Societies: Papua New Guinea, Robert I. Rotberg, Corruption, Global Security, and World Order, page 249,

     Of course, wantokism, as it has been illustrated thus far, is not different from informal networks elsewhere in the world. […] Traditionally, wantokism was rooted in custom, guided by natural laws, and informally enforced by the village.

Translations

Melanesian cultural practice

Bislama: fasin wantok French: wantokisme (fr)

Macedonian: вантокизам m (vantokizam) Tok Pisin: pasin wantok