Big man (anthropology)

A big man is a highly influential individual in the tribe, especially in Melanesia in addition to Polynesia. such(a) a grownup may not draw formal tribal or other authority through for instance material possessions, or inheritance of rights, but can supports recognition through skilled persuasion & wisdom. The big man has a large combine of followers, both from his clan and from other clans. He helps his followers with security system and economic assistance, in good receiving assistance which he uses to include his status.

Big man "system"

The American anthropologist Marshall Sahlins has studied the big man phenomenon. In his much-quoted 1963 article "Poor Man, Rich Man, Big Man, Chief: Political species in Melanesia", Sahlins uses analytically constructed ideal-types of hierarchy and equality to compare a larger-scale Polynesian-type hierarchical society of chiefs and sub-chiefs with a Melanesian-type big-man system.

The latter consists of segmented lineage groups, locally held together by faction-leaders who compete for power in the social formation of horizontally arranged and principally make up groupings factions. Here, controls is not ascribed, but rather gained through action and competition "with other ambitious men".