From the cliffs of the Anga village
in Papua New Guinea’s Morobe highlands, charred Corpses gawp at passers-by.
Their flesh stained red, and they appear to be constricted within cages of
bamboo.
in Papua New Guinea’s Morobe highlands, charred Corpses gawp at passers-by.
Their flesh stained red, and they appear to be constricted within cages of
bamboo.
Every corpse, men, women and children
are skillfully smoke -cured like kippers. First, experienced embalmers
make cuts in the feet, knees and elbows of the carcass, to allow body fat to
drain away, before poking bamboo poles into their guts and collecting the
drippings. The drippings are then smeared onto the skin and hair of
surviving relatives in a ritual believed to transfer the strength of the dead
into the living. Any leftovers are used as cooking oil, for the same reason.
Their flesh is stained red and placed in cages of bamboo. They then sew shut
the eyes, mouth and anus of the body they’re working on, to reduce the air
intake in an attempt to prevent the flesh from decomposing. The soles of
the feet, palms of the hands and tongue are sliced off and presented to the
surviving spouse and then whatever that is left is smoke cured over a fire pit,
before being coated in clay and ochre to ward-off scavengers.
are skillfully smoke -cured like kippers. First, experienced embalmers
make cuts in the feet, knees and elbows of the carcass, to allow body fat to
drain away, before poking bamboo poles into their guts and collecting the
drippings. The drippings are then smeared onto the skin and hair of
surviving relatives in a ritual believed to transfer the strength of the dead
into the living. Any leftovers are used as cooking oil, for the same reason.
Their flesh is stained red and placed in cages of bamboo. They then sew shut
the eyes, mouth and anus of the body they’re working on, to reduce the air
intake in an attempt to prevent the flesh from decomposing. The soles of
the feet, palms of the hands and tongue are sliced off and presented to the
surviving spouse and then whatever that is left is smoke cured over a fire pit,
before being coated in clay and ochre to ward-off scavengers.
These watchers are believed to be
the guardians of the village. The most-respected warriors are placed on special
lookout points on the cliffs, watching out for invaders.
the guardians of the village. The most-respected warriors are placed on special
lookout points on the cliffs, watching out for invaders.
The Catholic Church condemned the practice
and it has also been banned since 1975, when PNG gained its independence.
and it has also been banned since 1975, when PNG gained its independence.
But in remote parts, where even
today few missionaries dare to tread, a few tribes still prefer to mummify
their dead – perhaps to keep the priests away.
today few missionaries dare to tread, a few tribes still prefer to mummify
their dead – perhaps to keep the priests away.
See more photos below:
