Globalization In The Pacific Region

The world in which we live is forever changing. People from all over the world are becoming interconnected through the process of globalization. It is now evident that with the process of globalization, there have now been many benefits and effects that are affecting the people from all over the world. The pacific region is no exception as it too has been tremendously being impacted with the effects of globalization. Globalization has brought many effects into the Pacific region especially in PNG.

Over the last 4 decades since decolonization and post- independence, most of the countries in the South pacific region especially PNG had started to experience changes due to the process of globalization. Currently there are about four main aspects

For example, Moka, a local vernacular used in the Highlands region of PNG, was a form of barter system where people exchanged pigs with other goods. And also the coastal areas were famous for their Lapita pottery, which saw the exchange of clay pots with other raw materials or food between the Central and Gulf people. In the New Guinea islands, people were using Tabu or the shell Money to purchase goods especially food and shelter. Tabu/ Shell money was also used for other purposes such bride price ceremonies and traditional dances. However, due to the process of globalization this local or traditional form of economic system is slowly began to fade or is now nearly being replaced with the cash economy from the modernized system.

The globalization process has now also influenced the political system of many pacific island countries. In the past, PNG had its own political structure where the Big Men and Chieftaincy system was set in place by the locals. A man who had heredity or wealth by owning many pigs, food gardens or land or even many wives was a well-respected man and was seen as a leader or chief. However, due to globalization this style of leadership has lost its value due to the adoption of the West Minister

In the past, most of the people in the Pacific island were prone to worshipping their own Gods at their own will and time. For example, when a man wanted to go hunting or fishing, he or would pray and ask for help from his ancestors spirits to give him the strength and courage so that he would have a successful trip out hunting and fishing. Moreover, if a woman wanted to make a garden, she would pray and seek permission from the spirits that guarded the area so that they would allow her to use the land to make garden. In the end the women surely would rip a fine harvest because of her respect to the ancestor’s spirits. This practice has now changed with the impact of globalization. The introduction of Christianity and other foreign religions have now become common in PNG and other Pacific countries where it has outweighed our traditional forms of