| Description |
1 online resource (xii, 300 pages). |
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text file |
| Series |
Verhandelingen van het Koninklijk Instituut voor Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde ; 258
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Verhandelingen van het Koninklijk Instituut voor Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde ; 258.
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| Summary |
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. |
| Contents |
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: Initiation of male adolescents -- ch. 5: Marking death -- Part two: Kamoro in relation to the Asmat -- ch. 6: 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. |
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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 Kamoro in relation to the Asmat -- VI. Theory of comparison and the context of the rituals -- 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 -- Myth -- Ritual -- Masquerade -- Donning the armbands. |
| Bibliography |
Includes glossary, bibliographical references (pages 281-288) and index. |
| Local Note |
JSTOR Books at JSTOR Open Access |
| Contents |
IX. Male to female Social opposition versus communal solidarity -- Myths -- Rituals -- Conclusions -- X. Initiating young males and commemorating the dead On nose piercing and spirit poles -- Myths: a summary -- Story of Seitakap -- Story of Mbish, the ideal wife -- Comments -- Rituals -- Comments -- XI. Asmat headhunting and the initiation of male adolescents -- Myths -- Ritual -- Prelude -- Raid -- Initiation -- Identifying with the dead: the first stage of male initiation -- Ritual recognition of adolescence -- XII. Conclusions -- XIII. Epilogue -- Continuity in discontinuity: the current situation -- Contemporary Kamoro ceremonies. |
| Language |
English. |
| Subject |
Mimika (Indonesian people)
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Mimika (Indonesian people) |
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Asmat (Indonesian people)
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Asmat (Indonesian people) |
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Sex role -- Indonesia -- Papua Barat.
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Sex role. |
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Indonesia -- Papua Barat. |
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Ritual -- Indonesia -- Papua Barat.
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Ritual. |
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Ethnology -- Indonesia -- Papua Barat.
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Ethnology. |
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Papua Barat (Indonesia) -- Social conditions.
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Papua Barat (Indonesia) -- Social life and customs.
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| Indexed Term |
Oceanic studies |
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Indonesia |
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Papua culture |
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gender studies |
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anthropology |
| Genre/Form |
Electronic books.
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| Subject |
Gender roles. |
| Other Form: |
Print version: Pouwer, Jan. Gender, ritual and social formation in West Papua. Leiden : KITLV Press, 2010 9789067183253 (DLC) 2012364128 (OCoLC)526084116 |
| ISBN |
9004253726 (electronic book) |
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9789004253728 (electronic book) |
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9789067183253 |
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9067183253 |
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