“Voices of Kula is a documentary (1:27′) that follows the 2016 and 2018 research expeditions of German anthropologists Susanne Kuehling and Gina Knapp, together with local Islanders from Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea. Their mission was to revitalize the traditional Kula exchange—a ceremonial system in which valuable shell ornaments (mwali and bagi) are traded along a fixed route of islands known as the Kula Ring. The film documents growing concerns about the decline of this system. Many participants no longer follow the traditional travel routes of the shells, and some even sell the items to outsiders, particularly online, rather than exchanging them within the ring. This disrupts the spiritual and cultural integrity of the practice, as the objects are meant to circulate endlessly among trusted partners, carrying stories, names, and social bonds. Selling them breaks the cycle and weakens the unity of the ring. At its core, the Kula Ring is based on values of solidarity, reciprocity, and trust. It builds strong inter-island relationships through acts of generosity, hospitality, and respect. However, the breakdown of traditional knowledge and the lack of enforceable rules have led to exploitation and mistrust—especially among younger players, who are sometimes tricked or excluded by elders. To address these issues, the research team worked with local communities to document over 1,200 Kula objects and hosted 36 meetings to draft a community-based Kula constitution. This new set of agreed-upon rules aims to restore the integrity of the exchange and strengthen the collective identity of the Kula Ring for future generations.”