on PepsiCo and piety in a Papua New Guinea “modernity”

Abstract

Exploring global processes of “modernity” as they engaged Chambri of Papua New Guinea, we examine two locally salient discourses, presented by PepsiCo and by Antioch, a Catholic youth organization. These were employed by rebellious youths and more conservative elders to debate the appropriate relationship among “traditional” and “modern” selves and socialities. Both of the discourses into which the debate was channeled were concerned with “self‐creation.” This meant that “modernism” was more consolidated than challenged. Consequently, even for its most vigorous proponents, “tradition” became progressively less compelling (or binding) in any of its particulars and increasingly developed as a form of self‐expression—of personal choice and appreciation. [Papua New Guinea, modernity, transnationalism, socioeconomic change, identity]