The Oedipean desire to emulate the father, and indeed both parents, may be expressed in many ways. Society, while condemning most of these, selects and institutionalizes others as praiseworthy aims. Thus nearly all societies recognize some form of graded ranks, which convert their proud possessors into father (or combined parent) symbols and usually confer upon them some concrete privileges as well.

The Stone Men of Malekula are no exception to this rule. The pursuit of titles and steps in rank plays an even greater part in their lives than it does in ours. Among them, however, such coveted distinctions are not acquired by prowess in war, industry or politics as in our peerage, nor by a combination of seniority, merit and good luck as in our military and civil services, but solely by the sacrifice of pigs.