Gender, Ritual and Social Formation in West Papua

Author

Jan Pouwer

Year

2010

Publisher

Brill

Type

BOOK

Description

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. These are closely linked with their social formations: matrilineally oriented for the Kamoro, patrilineally for the Asmat. Next is a systematic comparison of the rituals. Kamoro culture revolves around cosmological connections, ritual and play, whereas the Asmat central focus is on warfare and headhunting. Because of this difference in cultural orientation, similar, even identical, ritual acts and myths differ in meaning. 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.

Geographies of Identity

Development of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation National Survey of Health Attitudes

Australian Political Lives, Chronicling political careers and administrative histories

Stephanie Dinkins, On Love & Data

Academic Pipeline Programs, Diversifying Pathways from the Bachelor's to the Professoriate, Diversifying Pathways from the Bachelor's to the Professoriate

សាកលវិទ្យាល័យ ប៊ែលធី អន្តរជាតិ

World Wide E-Library

Gender, Ritual and Social Formation in West Papua

Description

Geographies of Identity

Geographies of Identity

Development of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation National Survey of Health Attitudes

Development of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation National Survey of Health Attitudes

Australian Political Lives, Chronicling political careers and administrative histories

Stephanie Dinkins, On Love & Data

Academic Pipeline Programs, Diversifying Pathways from the Bachelor's to the Professoriate, Diversifying Pathways from the Bachelor's to the Professoriate

Arminius or the Rise of a National Symbol in Literature, From Hutten to Grabbe