Episode number 20 of Series “Faces of culture”.
Creation legends enable cultures to grasp the ungraspable. In the creation legends of the jungle tribe of the Asmat in south central New Guinea, the universe spilled from the decapitated body of a great spirit. Hence head-hunting and cannibalism became central to their religion, as did the appeasement of spirits who inhabited the trees. Rituals such as these gave the Asmat a sense of control over the unpredictable, but in the modern world, where cannibalism and vengeance is not allowed, their rituals cannot be properly completed, leaving a sense of anxiety, which finds its expression in tobacco addiction and social alienation.
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Collection
In ACMI's collection
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
303989
Language
English
Subject categories
Anthropology, Ethnology, Exploration & Travel → Funeral rites and ceremonies
Anthropology, Ethnology, Exploration & Travel → Papua New Guinea - Social life and customs
Anthropology, Ethnology, Exploration & Travel → Religion
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Culture conflict
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Death - Religious aspects
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Religion
Family, Gender Identity, Relationships & Sexuality → Death - Religious aspects
Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Death - Religious aspects
Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Funeral rites and ceremonies
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Colour
Holdings
VHS; Access Print (Section 1)