The world is shrinking. There are no new worlds to discover and the edges of the map are getting closer together. The world is changing. She is more and more connected every day. This surge in globalization offers many benefits and opportunities for society to progress in the years to come. However, it also risks destroying the unique and distinctive aspects of each society. It is essential to recognize the similarities shared with those outside one's own society. But it is also necessary to recognize what makes a culture unique. The Minangkabau and the Trobrianders are two societies that illustrate the similarities that different cultures can share, as well as the differences that make each culture unique. By comparing these societies, one can recognize the importance of embracing foreign cultures for their similar traits and respecting them for their differences. The Minangkabau people make their home on the islands of Indonesia, off the coast of the Indian Ocean. The five million Minangkabau people, mainly located in West Sumatra, make a living as farmers. Farmers cultivate wet rice fields and plant coffee, fruits and vegetables in irrigated plots. The culture centers around a concept known as adat, which is the custom governing Minangkabau society. Every aspect of Minangkabau life and culture is linked to one of the four major adat. Matrilineality, for example, falls under adat nan teradat and is a major cornerstone of Minangkabau culture. They practice matrilocality, with men continuing to live with their mother and sisters after marriage. Land ownership is flexible, but ancestral lands are passed strictly from mother to daughter. In addition to a deeply rooted matrilineal tradition, the Minangkabau devo...... middle of paper ......ders. The hope was that regulated gambling would replace the wild parties and dances enjoyed by the islanders. The islanders adopted the game, but modified it significantly to fit their existing customs. The islanders' highly stylized and extremely sexual cricket competitions have become an integral part of the culture. The world is shrinking. Every culture shares at least one similarity with another group. Both the Minangkabau and the Trobrianders belong to complex and fascinating structures. Their similarities illustrate the effects of globalization, as well as the existence of independent invention. Their differences set them apart and reinforce the belief that each culture is unique. The world is increasingly connected. The blank edges of the map have been filled in, but there is still much to discover about the world and the societies that inhabit it..