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Gender, ritual and social formation in West Papua
a configurational analysis comparing Kamoro and Asmat
This study, based on a lifelong involvement with New Guinea, compares the culture of the Kamoro (18,000 people) with that of their eastern neighbours, the Asmat (40,000), both living on the south coast of West Papua, Indonesia. The comparison, showing substantial differences as well as striking similarities, contributes to a deeper understanding of both cultures. Part I looks at Kamoro society and culture through the window of its ritual cycle, framed by gender. Part II widens the view, offering in a comparative fashion a more detailed analysis of the socio-political and cosmo-mythological setting of the Kamoro and the Asmat rituals. Next is a systematic comparison of the rituals. The comparison includes a cross-cultural, structural analysis of relevant myths. This publication is of interest to scholars and students in Oceanic studies and those drawn to the comparative study of cultures. Jan Pouwer (1924) started his career as a government anthropologist in West New Guinea in the 1950s and 1960s, with periods of intensive fieldwork, in particular among the Kamoro. A distinguished anthropologist, he held professorships at universities around the world.
Part one: Gender and the ritual cycle in Mimika -- ch. 1: Prologue -- ch. 2: The 'female' contribution to life Ema Kame rituals -- ch. 3: The 'male' contribution to life Kaware ritual -- ch. 4: The initiation of male adolescents -- ch. 5: Marking death -- Part two: The Kamoro in relation to the Asmat -- ch. 6: The theory of comparison and the context of the rituals -- ch. 7: Ema Kame and Emak Cem -- ch. 8: Honouring the dead Asmat display and performance -- ch. 9: Male to female social opposition versus communal solidarity -- ch. 10: Initiating young males and commemorating the dead on nose piercing and spirit poles -- ch. 11: Asmat headhunting and the initiation of male adolescents -- ch. 12: Conclusions -- ch. 13: Epilogue.
The second stage Demonstrating skills -- The third stage Providing the insignia of manhood -- V. Marking death -- Critical illness, passing away and mourning -- Disposal of the dead and bereavement -- Ceremony marking the end of mourning -- Ritual cleansing and cancellation of food taboos -- House of the corpse ceremony -- Spirit platform ritual -- Lifting the head-covering -- pt. Two The Kamoro in relation to the Asmat -- VI. The theory of comparison and the context of the rituals -- The theory -- Languages -- Sago stands, riverine, marine and horticultural resources -- Types of kinship and descent -- Residential aggregates and political affiliations -- Pervasiveness of dual organization -- Cosmology -- VII. Ema Kame and Emak Cem -- Ema Kame/Emak Cem and myth -- Ema Kame/Emak Cem and ritual -- Comparison -- VIII. Honouring the dead Display and performance -- The myth -- The ritual -- The masquerade -- Donning the armbands.
IX. Male to female Social opposition versus communal solidarity -- The myths -- The rituals -- Conclusions -- X. Initiating young males and commemorating the dead On nose piercing and spirit poles -- The myths: a summary -- The story of Seitakap -- The story of Mbish, the ideal wife -- Comments -- The rituals -- Comments -- XI. Asmat headhunting and the initiation of male adolescents -- The myths -- The ritual -- Prelude -- The raid -- The initiation -- Identifying with the dead: the first stage of male initiation -- The ritual recognition of adolescence -- XII. Conclusions -- XIII. Epilogue -- Continuity in discontinuity: the current situation -- Contemporary Kamoro ceremonies.
Includes glossary, bibliographical references (pages 281-288) and index.
Verhandelingen van het Koninklijk Instituut voor Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde ; 258