Inalienable Wealth/Inalienable Possessions

History

Inalienable wealth and inalienable possessions were first examined in studies by anthropologists focusing on the material culture of indigenous populations or tribes. In these studies of geographically confined and socially homogeneous societies, anthropologists found that a few objects seemed to remain inalienably attached to their original owners and came to represent the identities of larger social groups. Deep meanings typically accrued in these objects through the possession's close association with its original owner's achievements, fame, ancestral history, aesthetics, and/or economic value.

The deep meanings and strong history invested in inalienable possessions increased the cultural density of those items and in so doing greatly increased their value. Possessions that became especially culturally dense circulated exceptionally slowly within a population, in comparison to objects less dense with cultural meaning. Inalienable possessions, symbolically dense with cultural meaning, were so valued that their owning families refused to allow these items to circulate outside of their family or clan. The objects that were withheld from circulation for extended periods of time became increasingly valuable. The resulting inalienable possessions are objects that have been strategically held back while other less culturally dense items were exchanged instead.

Inalienable Possessions in Contemporary Society

Contemporary middle-class North American families behave consistently with those described in previous theory on inalienable possessions and inalienable wealth. North American research participants are able to easily identify possessions that closely conform to those described in earlier anthropological accounts. Consumers' behavior surrounding family heirlooms often share the themes and behaviors [Page 760]depicted in earlier anthropological studies examining inalienable wealth.

Valuing and Meanings of Inalienable Wealth

The inalienable possession's value is substantial; but this value lies in its strong affective component, directly tied to its significant meaning to the family or to the owning group. Its value is well in excess of its monetary exchange price in the marketplace. Inalienable possessions have a history and meanings that are understood by those in the family or descent group within which it is transferred, but they may have far less meaning and thus far less value to those outside of the group.

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