For every action, there is a reaction. In Kaluli life, these actions are heavily based on reciprocity. Understanding Kaluli reciprocity gives insight into social relationships and the important yet gruesome Gisaro ceremony. Without virtuous violence theory to explain these practices, we would not gain insight into how reciprocity dictates Kaluli social relationships. As such, the ethos of Kaluli social relationships cannot be understood without virtuous violence theory.
Virtuous violence theory illuminates Kaluli social life through providing a framework to understand the motives and actions behind violent reciprocal action. As stated in lecture, "Virtuous violence theory posits that most violence is morally motivated: People harm others (or…show more content… First, the Kaluli understand life through complimentary oppositions. The opposites are not competing, but are supplementary to each other. Second, reciprocity plays a major part in this theme as a medium to express feelings and create, maintain, or terminate social relations. Through working together, eating communally, hunting, offering access to resources or women, and other types of actions, reciprocity is ever-present. When one party, whether individual or group, performs a positive or negative action towards another, that action must be followed up with a reaction. If a transgression is performed against one party, that party must reciprocate. When one action occurs, an imbalance is created and exists between the opposites. Thus, actions are taken. Reciprocity is an ever-present theme that dictates nonviolent and violent actions. For example, if one group harms another, they must pay compensation. If they do, the social relation can be maintained, if not, then the social relation is broken.
Virtuous violence theory is necessary to explain why the Kaluli use violence to retaliate in some circumstances versus others, and to what degree.One example of violence when reciprocity is broken is seen in death. As stated, "When a person dies, he has in effect been murdered…his kinsmen are furious, and in response, traditionally,