Life without pigs: Recent subsistence changes among the Irakia Awa, Papua New Guinea

Beginning in the late 1980s, the Irakia Awa commenced changing their basic subsistence adaptation. This included altering gardening practices, changin g basic food consumption patterns, and most importantly, eliminating the pr oduction of domestic pigs. These changes were undertaken as part of an effo rt to improve the life experience of local residents and usher in a new pla n of village improvement. The plan promoted the disintensification of subsi stence production and increased involvement in cash-earning and recreationa l pursuits, as well as Christianity. If successful, the promoters of the pl an hope that the village will become a more attractive place to live, migra nts living away will return home to help revitalize the community, and Irak ia will flourish in the new cash-oriented modern economy.