Papua New Guinea

Papua New GuineaPapua New Guinea

Land of the Big MenLand of the Big Men

Introducing the Peoples of Papua Introducing the Peoples of Papua New GuineaNew Guinea

• Idjadje tribe – Papua New Guinea, 2003 Idjadje tribe – Papua New Guinea, 2003

Describing Papua New GuineaDescribing Papua New Guinea

• Papua New Guinea is (or increasingly was) the land of the Papua New Guinea is (or increasingly was) the land of the pristine tribes. pristine tribes.

• Undiscovered until the 1930s, the main island was the one of the Undiscovered until the 1930s, the main island was the one of the largest areas of uncontacted tribes—uncontacted by Europeans largest areas of uncontacted tribes—uncontacted by Europeans that is—in the world. that is—in the world.

• Two brothers in search for gold happened upon them while Two brothers in search for gold happened upon them while flying into the region—and the rest became history. flying into the region—and the rest became history.

• Anthropologists have come in droves to the island—and so have Anthropologists have come in droves to the island—and so have the logging and mining corporations. They are isolated no more. the logging and mining corporations. They are isolated no more.

• Here, a group of Idjadji tribesmen pose for the camera. Here, a group of Idjadji tribesmen pose for the camera.

Where in the World is Papua New Where in the World is Papua New Guinea?Guinea?

• Papua New Guinea (marked red)Papua New Guinea (marked red)

Location of Papua New GuineaLocation of Papua New Guinea

• The island of New Guinea itself is located 100 The island of New Guinea itself is located 100 miles north of Australia. miles north of Australia.

• It comprises the independent nation of Papua It comprises the independent nation of Papua New Guinea itself (east side)New Guinea itself (east side)

• And one of the provinces of Indonesia (west)And one of the provinces of Indonesia (west)• Together with Australia and New Zealand, New Together with Australia and New Zealand, New

Guinea has always been isolated from Southeast Guinea has always been isolated from Southeast Asia, even during the ice ages when the sea level Asia, even during the ice ages when the sea level was at its lowest. was at its lowest.

Map of New GuineaMap of New Guinea

• New Guinea Comprises Papua New Guinea and Irian New Guinea Comprises Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya (now Papua, sometimes called West Papua)Jaya (now Papua, sometimes called West Papua)

Papua New Guinea and PapuaPapua New Guinea and Papua

• As indicated above, the eastern half of the island forms the As indicated above, the eastern half of the island forms the main part of the independent nation, Papua New Guinea main part of the independent nation, Papua New Guinea (PNG)(PNG)

• PNG also includes the islands east of New Guinea, PNG also includes the islands east of New Guinea, including the Trobriand (Kiriwina) Islands and othersincluding the Trobriand (Kiriwina) Islands and others

• Papua, formerly known as Irian Jaya, is a province of Papua, formerly known as Irian Jaya, is a province of IndonesiaIndonesia

• Recently, attempts have been made to form another Recently, attempts have been made to form another province, West Papua, but the status of this effort is province, West Papua, but the status of this effort is unclear. unclear.

• There is also an independence movement in Papua, so far There is also an independence movement in Papua, so far without success. without success.

Map of Papua or West PapuaMap of Papua or West Papua

The Dani of PapuaThe Dani of Papua

• Papua, also known as West Papua and West New Papua, also known as West Papua and West New Guinea and formerly as Irian Jaya, covers the western Guinea and formerly as Irian Jaya, covers the western side of the island. It forms the northeastern part of side of the island. It forms the northeastern part of Indonesia, of which it is a province.Indonesia, of which it is a province.

• Because of the Danis’ well-documented reputation for Because of the Danis’ well-documented reputation for warfare (the film Dead Birds is a classic depiction of warfare (the film Dead Birds is a classic depiction of Dani warfare), Papua and the Dani will be discussed firstDani warfare), Papua and the Dani will be discussed first

• The Dani are located in the southeastern part of the The Dani are located in the southeastern part of the country, along the Baliem River (labeled on the country, along the Baliem River (labeled on the preceding map as Baliem Valley) in the Grand Valley preceding map as Baliem Valley) in the Grand Valley (not shown).(not shown).

The Dani of PapuaThe Dani of Papua

• Dani Men (left). Note penis sheaths made of gourds.Dani Men (left). Note penis sheaths made of gourds.• Once used to spot enemies, towers (right) are now used Once used to spot enemies, towers (right) are now used

to detect pig thieves to detect pig thieves

Dani of Papua: A DescriptionDani of Papua: A Description

• The Dani, like all New Guinea tribes, grow yams or sweet The Dani, like all New Guinea tribes, grow yams or sweet potatoes and raise pigspotatoes and raise pigs

• Like other New Guinea tribes, pig feasts form part of their Like other New Guinea tribes, pig feasts form part of their cultureculture

• Their big men, also known as “men of influence” generally direct Their big men, also known as “men of influence” generally direct the battles in tribal wars and other major events such as the the battles in tribal wars and other major events such as the feastsfeasts

• However, they are not chiefs, and they often have to rule by However, they are not chiefs, and they often have to rule by persuasion—there is no organized army or police forcepersuasion—there is no organized army or police force

• Their Their namba, namba, or penis sheaves made of gourds, are a distinct or penis sheaves made of gourds, are a distinct feature of the Dani and related tribes. Their scrotums remain feature of the Dani and related tribes. Their scrotums remain exposed. exposed.

Tribal Warfare among the Dani, Tribal Warfare among the Dani, 1950s1950s

• Dani at war from Dani at war from Dead Birds Dead Birds (left)(left)• The price of survival is eternal vigilance; Dani sentry on The price of survival is eternal vigilance; Dani sentry on

watchtower (right)watchtower (right)

Dani WarfareDani Warfare

• War was suppressed by the Indonesian government in War was suppressed by the Indonesian government in 1963; in Papua New Guinea, it was suppressed earlier by 1963; in Papua New Guinea, it was suppressed earlier by the Australian government in the late 1940s and 1950sthe Australian government in the late 1940s and 1950s

• There is evidence that warfare has not entirely There is evidence that warfare has not entirely disappeared, as a later presentation will demonstrate. disappeared, as a later presentation will demonstrate. Guns have made such wars even deadlier than they were Guns have made such wars even deadlier than they were before before

• The laws prohibiting tribal wars have proven to be The laws prohibiting tribal wars have proven to be unenforceable in some regions. unenforceable in some regions.

How Women Mourned Fallen WarriorsHow Women Mourned Fallen Warriors

• Women and girls losing their fingers in mourning (Fig. 5)Women and girls losing their fingers in mourning (Fig. 5)• Women and their hands with fingers missing (Fig. 6)Women and their hands with fingers missing (Fig. 6)

A Casualty of War: Loss of A Casualty of War: Loss of FingersFingers

• According to Henry Bagish, Professor of According to Henry Bagish, Professor of Anthropology at Santa Barbara City College, one Anthropology at Santa Barbara City College, one mourning practice was for women to lop off mourning practice was for women to lop off two fingers when a close male relative died in two fingers when a close male relative died in warwar

• Bagish photographed many women with missing Bagish photographed many women with missing fingers during his visit of the region in 1979. fingers during his visit of the region in 1979. These photos appear in the preceding panel. These photos appear in the preceding panel.

Mitigating Warfare: A Scene from a Mitigating Warfare: A Scene from a FeastFeast

• Preparing for a feast, two Poguma women paint each Preparing for a feast, two Poguma women paint each other’s faces other’s faces

• Feasts mitigated chances of warfareFeasts mitigated chances of warfare

Mitigating Warfare: FeastsMitigating Warfare: Feasts

• One way to curtail warfare was to hold intertribal feasts. One way to curtail warfare was to hold intertribal feasts. Besides enjoying the festivities, the tribes found this a Besides enjoying the festivities, the tribes found this a good way to minimize chances of warfare. The warfare good way to minimize chances of warfare. The warfare was eliminated by government intervention—or so it was eliminated by government intervention—or so it was thought for a long time. was thought for a long time.

• As seen in As seen in Ongka’s Big MokaOngka’s Big Moka, pig feasts were a way to , pig feasts were a way to compensate for a death and to make peace.compensate for a death and to make peace.

• Here, Ongka brings a pig as a peace offering after the big Here, Ongka brings a pig as a peace offering after the big man of a rival tribe has died unexpectedly. This practice, man of a rival tribe has died unexpectedly. This practice, known as bloodwealth, was commonplaceknown as bloodwealth, was commonplace

• Nbenda, Ongka’s father-in-law describes a similar Nbenda, Ongka’s father-in-law describes a similar practice in the days prior to the outlawing of warfare. practice in the days prior to the outlawing of warfare.

Ongka’s Big Moka: IntroductionOngka’s Big Moka: Introduction

• Big men (left) lead New Guinea tribe—sort ofBig men (left) lead New Guinea tribe—sort of • Preparing the feast begins with slaughtered pigs (right)Preparing the feast begins with slaughtered pigs (right)

Ongka’s Big Moka: BackgroundOngka’s Big Moka: Background

• This video depicts a big man of the Kawelka This video depicts a big man of the Kawelka (pronounced “cowaga”) tribe who owes the big (pronounced “cowaga”) tribe who owes the big man (Peruwa) of a rival tribe a major feast.man (Peruwa) of a rival tribe a major feast.

• Ten years ago, Peruwa sponsored a feast in Ten years ago, Peruwa sponsored a feast in which he gave Ongka 400 pigs.which he gave Ongka 400 pigs.

• In the film, Ongka hope to repay Peruwa with In the film, Ongka hope to repay Peruwa with 600 pigs and a little extra, such as cassowaries 600 pigs and a little extra, such as cassowaries (midsize flightless birds), cattle, and a truck.(midsize flightless birds), cattle, and a truck.

• The film shows what he had to do to pull it off.The film shows what he had to do to pull it off.

New Guinean Big MenNew Guinean Big Men

• A tribe has two big men—or moreA tribe has two big men—or more

Defining Big MenDefining Big Men

• Big men actually are not chiefs. For one thing, they Big men actually are not chiefs. For one thing, they cannot boss their followers around. They can get their cannot boss their followers around. They can get their way only by persuasion, as you will see in the video. The way only by persuasion, as you will see in the video. The term “big man” actually means “man of influence.”term “big man” actually means “man of influence.”

• For another thing, a tribe can have more than one big For another thing, a tribe can have more than one big man, all competing for power. Ongka’s main rival among man, all competing for power. Ongka’s main rival among the Kawelka is Raima, who is scheming to fix the date of the Kawelka is Raima, who is scheming to fix the date of the big moka. the big moka.

• These ploys lead to shifts of influence from one big man These ploys lead to shifts of influence from one big man to another. to another.

Pig FeastsPig Feasts

• Every man is dressed up for the Big Moka (Feast)—for Every man is dressed up for the Big Moka (Feast)—for good reason (left).good reason (left).

• Goroka man of Sepik River dance at the feast (right). Goroka man of Sepik River dance at the feast (right).

Defining “Moka”Defining “Moka”

• Every man is dressed up to inspire fear and awe among Every man is dressed up to inspire fear and awe among their visitors when the moka actually occurss.their visitors when the moka actually occurss.

• As you will see, there are smaller mokas to bring in the As you will see, there are smaller mokas to bring in the pigs from Ongka’s followers—which he has to persuade pigs from Ongka’s followers—which he has to persuade in order for them to comply. The big moka is a in order for them to comply. The big moka is a crescendo of the smaller ones.crescendo of the smaller ones.

• ““Moka” itself means more than just a feast. It involves a Moka” itself means more than just a feast. It involves a “rope” by which the tribe itself accumulates prestige and “rope” by which the tribe itself accumulates prestige and respect, both within the tribe and among other tribes. respect, both within the tribe and among other tribes.

Balanced Reciprocity: The Big Balanced Reciprocity: The Big MokaMoka

• Balanced ReciprocityBalanced Reciprocity, New Guinea market (left), New Guinea market (left)• Payment is immediate.Payment is immediate.• Diagram of three types of reciprocity (right)Diagram of three types of reciprocity (right)

Big Moka as Balanced ReciprocityBig Moka as Balanced Reciprocity

• In the anthropological literature, tribal societies rely on In the anthropological literature, tribal societies rely on trade to keep relative peace among themselves.trade to keep relative peace among themselves.

• In In The Gift The Gift Marcel Mauss (nephew of the French Marcel Mauss (nephew of the French sociologist Emile Durkheim ) argued that every gift sociologist Emile Durkheim ) argued that every gift involves three obligations:involves three obligations:

• To give, and thereby create a relationship.To give, and thereby create a relationship.• To give, and thereby accept the offer of a relationshipTo give, and thereby accept the offer of a relationship• To repay, and thereby honor the relationship; to fail to To repay, and thereby honor the relationship; to fail to

repay puts the recipient in the status of a beggar. repay puts the recipient in the status of a beggar. • You will see Ongka’s great fear of being called “rubbish” You will see Ongka’s great fear of being called “rubbish”

if he fails to repay Peruwa with his feast.if he fails to repay Peruwa with his feast.

Balanced Reciprocity: Ongka’s Big Balanced Reciprocity: Ongka’s Big MokaMoka

• Repaying an old debtRepaying an old debt

Balanced Reciprocity: Its Balanced Reciprocity: Its ImportanceImportance

• Why is gift exchange so important?Why is gift exchange so important?• Mauss argued that in the absence of law—codified law Mauss argued that in the absence of law—codified law

of the state, that is—the moka has the force of lawof the state, that is—the moka has the force of law• This relationship, Mauss called “total prestations.” The This relationship, Mauss called “total prestations.” The

alternatives to gift giving is either total avoidance or alternatives to gift giving is either total avoidance or warfare. If you reject a gift, in effect you declare war. warfare. If you reject a gift, in effect you declare war.

• So it was imperative for Ongka to come through with a So it was imperative for Ongka to come through with a reciprocal pig feast for Peruwa and his tribe.reciprocal pig feast for Peruwa and his tribe.

Ongka’s Big Moka: Cashing InOngka’s Big Moka: Cashing In

• Ongka’s Big Moka: The DVD/Video (left)Ongka’s Big Moka: The DVD/Video (left)• Ongka’s Big Moka: A rock band cashing in (left)Ongka’s Big Moka: A rock band cashing in (left)

The Hazards of Ethnography: Mokas The Hazards of Ethnography: Mokas and Rock Bandsand Rock Bands

• A rock band that calls itself Toploader titled its album A rock band that calls itself Toploader titled its album Ongka’s Big Moka. Ongka’s Big Moka.

• Is its real name more like Freeloader, or did the band Is its real name more like Freeloader, or did the band actually practice balanced reciprocity by paying the usual actually practice balanced reciprocity by paying the usual (exorbitant) permission fees for using Ongka’s name.(exorbitant) permission fees for using Ongka’s name.

• Did the corporation pay Ongka for using his name? Did the corporation pay Ongka for using his name? • In either case, we may have a case of In either case, we may have a case of negative negative

reciprocityreciprocity here—getting more than you give, either here—getting more than you give, either through high fees or through theft. through high fees or through theft.

• We can only guess. . .We can only guess. . .

Ongka’s Big MokaOngka’s Big Moka

1.1. View the video View the video Ongka’s Big Moka. Ongka’s Big Moka. It should be It should be available via Netflix or Blockbuster if you available via Netflix or Blockbuster if you don’t have it at your college library. don’t have it at your college library.

2.2. Answer the questions in the part of your Answer the questions in the part of your assignment that covers this videoassignment that covers this video

3.3. Be prepared to comment on the issues brought Be prepared to comment on the issues brought up by Ongka’s Big Moka. Remember: up by Ongka’s Big Moka. Remember: discussion is worth 10 percent of the grade.discussion is worth 10 percent of the grade.

Continuing WarfareContinuing Warfare

• Tribal warfare continues to this dayTribal warfare continues to this day

Warfare Gets DeadlierWarfare Gets Deadlier

• As you will see in the You Tube presentations,As you will see in the You Tube presentations,• Warfare has persisted into the 2000sWarfare has persisted into the 2000s• Because guns have replaced spears, war has Because guns have replaced spears, war has

become deadlierbecome deadlier• Source of guns include vendors and often from Source of guns include vendors and often from

the officials themselves of the PNG governmentthe officials themselves of the PNG government

Tribal Warfare Made DeadlierTribal Warfare Made Deadlier

• Guns and armored vehicles part of the new warfareGuns and armored vehicles part of the new warfare

Tribal Fighting: Papua New GuineaTribal Fighting: Papua New Guinea(You Tube)(You Tube)

• Access the video by this link (paste to browser if Access the video by this link (paste to browser if it doesn’t work)it doesn’t work)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPM-gJA62Rshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPM-gJA62Rs• Answer this section of Papua New Guinea in Answer this section of Papua New Guinea in

your assignmentyour assignment

Deforestation Crisis: The Scenes Deforestation Crisis: The Scenes

• The Face of Deforestation in Papua New Guinea (Left)The Face of Deforestation in Papua New Guinea (Left)• The Extent of Deforestation (Right)The Extent of Deforestation (Right)• Upper panel, right: Deforestation in 1980Upper panel, right: Deforestation in 1980• Lower panel, right: Projected deforestation by 2020Lower panel, right: Projected deforestation by 2020

Deforestation Crisis: BackgroundDeforestation Crisis: Background

• Tribal society reflects another weakness—each Tribal society reflects another weakness—each tribe looks after its own interest.tribe looks after its own interest.

• This is reflected when logging companies makes This is reflected when logging companies makes deals with tribes, one by one.deals with tribes, one by one.

• The following video shows how the very The following video shows how the very existence of New Guinea tribesmen is at riak. existence of New Guinea tribesmen is at riak.

• The map above projects the extent of The map above projects the extent of deforestation by the year 2020—12 years awaydeforestation by the year 2020—12 years away

Deforestation in PNG (You Deforestation in PNG (You Tube)Tube)

• Access “Rapid Deforestation—Papua New Access “Rapid Deforestation—Papua New Guinea” using this link (Paste it to your browser Guinea” using this link (Paste it to your browser if it doesn’t work here)if it doesn’t work here)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aJZB2jNHRYhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aJZB2jNHRY• Answer the questions addressing deforestation Answer the questions addressing deforestation

Conclusion: Big Men, Past and Conclusion: Big Men, Past and PresentPresent

• Left: Big Man from a Highland TribeLeft: Big Man from a Highland Tribe• Right: Wari Iamo, Minister of Environment and Conservation, Right: Wari Iamo, Minister of Environment and Conservation,

Papua New GuineaPapua New Guinea

Conclusion: Future of Papua New Conclusion: Future of Papua New GuineaGuinea

• The future of Papua New Guinea is problematicalThe future of Papua New Guinea is problematical• The government itself represents many tribesThe government itself represents many tribes• Corruption is reflected in many ways:Corruption is reflected in many ways:• Gunrunning is one source of corruption.Gunrunning is one source of corruption.• Selling out to logging firms is anotherSelling out to logging firms is another• Will men like Wari Iamo avoid corruption or will they Will men like Wari Iamo avoid corruption or will they

continue the practices of their big men counterpart? continue the practices of their big men counterpart? • Time alone will tell. Time alone will tell.