The Asmat tribe in Papua never ceased to amaze many people with its culture, social and ethnic. People will often be left speechless by their diverse and unique characters of culture. It is different and astonishing. This time it is about the Asmat ancestor skull or Ndambirkus.
Many of you must know this ndambirkus from the online action or an actual photograph of it. Even some people buy this skull so it can be a decoration on their wall. It is normal since the skull has some compelling character you cannot find in others. We are going to learn about this ancestral skull in this article.
Asmat Ancestor Skull, an Amazing Piece of Culture
To understand the Asmat ancestor skull, you need to learn about the Asmat tribe first. The Asmat people originated in Papua, Indonesia. They are one of many tribes in this region. The Asmat can also be found in Papua New Guinea. The Asmat people believed in spirits, dwelled trees, rivers, natural objects, and the spirit of their dead ancestors.
This tribe believes that the world contains good spirits and evil spirits. They also perceived that the ancestors’ spirits would protect them.
To avoid trouble, they must also calm the spirit, which Kobes in the trees, caves, big stones, or inside the animals. This tradition is to bring balance and peace to the universe.
To do this, they also need to do some rituals and activities like wood carving, warfare, or headhunting. Even today, the Asmat are no longer doing the headhunting again after the missionaries come to the place.
They are known for their quality woodcraft, and their creations are also being presented in a museum. This is proof of their taste in art. The woodcarvers also had a high place in this tribe. Their product of wood carvings are shields, ancestor poles, spirit costumes, ritual soul ships, rope costume masks, canoe prows, and drums. The Asmat tribe believes there is some close relationship between the trees and humans. They see the woods as the source of life.
Ndambirkus, Asmat Ancestor Skull
they will give the ancestors’ skulls different treatment. Ndambirkus, or the ancestor skull, will be decorated in a traditional way. The skulls will be decorated using local shells, feathers or even beads. You can easily recognize these skulls with their piercing. The piercing is used to protect the ancestor from the bad spirit. The skulls are usually used as pillows during ceremonies or traditional occasions.
The Asmat tribe has been using human skulls for rituals for many years. The human skulls were used for their war activity. However, using human skulls from ancestors and human skulls from enemies is different.
Asmat is known as trophy skulls or called ndakus. The skulls were collected from the enemy when the war times came. The ndakus can be known by the one hole in one of its temples. On which the Asmat tribe would take out the brain of the enemy. The skull of the enemy would usually lose its lower jaw too.
The people will give this part to the women in the village. As a form of insult, this was meant to be offensive. The women would use this lower jaw as their accessories, usually a pendant. The remaining part of the skull would be kept in their house as a trophy.
Final Takeaway
The Asmat tribe always succeeds in making people blown away by its amazingness. The Asmat ancestor skull or Ndambirkus is just one of many. Their tradition, ethnicity, culture, and craft exemplify its deep and interesting tribal element. It is not weird that some people are always looking at them to seize their unique and vibrant character.
