Gift Exchange and Reciprocities in Kidney Transplantation in Cyprus

This article presents the findings of an ethnographic study of gift exchange and reciprocities in kidney donation and transplantation among Greek-Cypriot organ recipients on the island of Cyprus. The study indicates that there is not only one reciprocal obligation but many layers of reciprocity depending upon whether a cadaver or a relative is the donor and whether social life has indeed been restored after transplantation. In cases where social life remained disrupted after transplantation then feelings of indebtedness failed to accrue and the relationship between donors and recipients was redefined in a manner that rendered reciprocities fractured. Conclusively, kidney donation is not a free gift but it carries tangible or symbolic values and praise for the donor.