Igor Kopytoff

Question 1

Cultural Biographies

Answer 1

Kopytoff suggests that objects, similar to people, go through life cycles. They start as commodities, like things we buy and sell, and then, at different points, they can become less tradeable or take on sentimental value- this is called decommodification.

Question 2

Moral Economy

Answer 2

Objects can be exchanged using criteria other than money, like beauty or sacredness, creating a hierarchy of value.

Question 3

People as things

Answer 3

Kopytoff explores the concept of slavery, emphasising the moral economy’s role in treating people as property.

Question 4

Re-individualization

Answer 4

After being captured and sold, slaves get a new social identity.

Question 5

Singularisation

Answer 5

some items become unique, not for trading, like sacred things