1. Bell Work 5/13  What are kami?

3. Papua is the Indonesian half of New Guinea Island, one of the last places on earth that still has blanks on the map. About 250 languages are spoken in Papua. Most groups are made up of just a few hundred people Some have been contacted by the outside world only very recently

4. Asmat

5. The Asmat are an ethnic group of New Guinea The total Asmat population is estimated to be around 70,000. The term "Asmat" is used to refer both to the people and the region they inhabit.

6. The Asmat have one of the most well- known woodcarving traditions in the Pacific, and their art is sought by collectors worldwide

7. Their culture and way of life are heavily dependent on the rich natural resources found in their forests, rivers, and seas. The Asmat mainly subsist on starch from the sago palm, crustaceans, fish, forest game, and other items gathered from their forests and waters.

8. great emphasis on the worship of ancestors, particularly those who were accomplished warriors. Asmat art is designed to honor ancestors.

9. Traditionally, many Asmat men practiced polygyny by marrying more than one woman. In many cases, men were expected to marry a male relative's wife when that relative dies. Many men had long-term ritual sexual/friendship relationships with other men Male partners were also known to share their wives. Missionary influence in the last several decades has reduced the occurrence of both

10. The Asmat were documented headhunters and cannibals, and were left largely undisturbed until the mid-20th century. It was not until Catholic missionaries established the post in 1953 that significant interaction with the Asmat people began. Catholic missionaries were successful in persuading the Asmat to stop cannibalism and headhunting

11. Asmat did not only hunt for skulls, they also worshipped them. The skulls of the deceased were stripped of the brain and the eyes and nasal parts were closed up in order to prevent evil spirits to enter or exit the body. Skulls that were modified and decorated in this way, were displayed by the Asmat in a honorable place in their long homes.

12. The Asmat believe that death occurs only through magic or murder. Only through the death of an enemy are spirits of the murdered individual appeased and leave the land of the living for the land of the dead.

13. All carvings in Asmat are named for the dead and are meant to remind the living of their obligation to avenge the murders.

14. Kombai

15. the Kombai have stayed hidden from the outside world for generations, pursuing their ancient way of life as hunter-gatherers.

16. There are 4,000 or so members of the Kombai, most of whom live in isolated family homesteads in tree houses. As well as providing an escape from the heat and mosquitoes, the tree houses probably originated as their height is a defense against flooding during heavy rains as well as offering protection from conflict. The houses often reach heights of over 65 feet

17. Pigs are equivalent to currency to the Kombai. For Kombai men to marry, they first have to buy the woman from her family with necklaces made from dog's teeth

18. For food, the Kombai hunt pigs and other forest animals, fish, eat the larvae of beetles and plants and eat Sago from Sago palms. They often use small dogs to help track down and kill animals.

19. All strangers approaching a treehouse, including invited guests, are stopped by armed men and forced to prove that they mean no harm before they are allowed through

20. A small number of Kombai have integrated into society and converted to Christianity.

21. The Kombai are known to have practiced cannibalism

22. Occasionally, the Kombai may sacrifice a pig - a most sacred animal, only usually used to settle disputes between tribes and family. The animal is offered to their god, Refafu. No women are allowed to watch this procedure; otherwise it will render the sacrifice ineffective. After the sacrifice, no one is allowed to bathe in the river for the next two days, as Refafu will be drinking the spilt blood of the pig - it is believed he absorbs the passion it produces

23. The Kombai also believe in evil spirits called Suangi. Suangis are said to eat the blood and/or internal organs of their victims and then stuff the bodies with leaves and grass. They are also believed to devour the person's soul. After being attacked, the victim is then said to return home where they seem to have fallen mysteriously ill. If a victim is able to name the Suangi that has attacked him, they are often killed and eaten by the victim's family in the belief that it will free the person's spirit.

24. The Kombai also believe in Khakhua- Kumu, evil men who consume the souls of their victims, and must be killed or eaten in return. As the soul is thought to lie in the brain and the stomach, retribution comes by eating those organs of the Khakhua-Kumu, to bring their terror to an end.

25. Other traditions include the Kombai piercing their noses with a sago thorn. At times, the digits of bats will also be used, especially by the women.

26. Deforestation is becoming a major problem. The government is paying for logging roads into what were once impenetrable forests. These in turn create land erosion and the destruction of habitat. The traditional ways of life in the forest are under great threat