pp. 719-748

Following previous works, the present paper starts by offering a clear definition of the category of gift as opposed to that of exchange. It is argued that social anthropology has generally confused the two categories, describing as « gift » what is in reality exchange. But in Melanesia as in some traditional societies of Africa or America, the exchanges take specific forms, different from those known in modern societies. The particular aim of this article is to define this kind of exchange which is neither an exchange of gifts nor an exchange of commodities.