kula

noun
  1. A ceremonial exchange system conducted in the Milne Bay Province of Papua New Guinea, involving the giving and receiving of shell necklaces and armbands among a ring of islands. It is a form of trade that establishes social bonds and status among participants. noun
    The kula exchange is an important cultural practice among the Trobriand Islanders.
    Anthropologists have studied the kula to understand its role in social and economic systems.
  2. In some contexts, it can refer to a community or group of people who share a common interest or purpose, often used in spiritual or yoga communities. noun
    The yoga retreat brought together a kula of like-minded individuals.
    She found a supportive kula in her meditation group.