Papua New Guinea culture is indeed unique. This country is known to be persistent in maintaining their traditions and traditional rituals. In this modern era, the ethnic groups in Papua New Guinea still do their traditions, even the extreme, scary ones. One of the most extreme cultures in Papua New Guinea is the tradition of having sex at an early age by the people of the Trobriander Island. Below are the extreme traditions in West Papua New Guinea.
Having Sexual Intercourse Since the Age of 6 Years
People on Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea, allow kids aged under 10 years old to have sexual intercourse with their opposite gender. On this island, kids under 10 years old are legal to have sex with their opposite gender. For boys, they are allowed to do so when they reach 8 years old to 12 years old. On the other hand, girls are allowed to have sex with boys when they are 6 years old to 8 years old. Before they are allowed to do so, kids will be given sex education.
Locals on Trobriander Islands even provide Bukamatula, which is a particular hut for those who want to have sex. And they will do it until the sun rises. The people of the Trobriand Islands consider a spirit or Baloma to be the real father of the baby born to the woman of the Trobriand Islands. In this condition, men are only considered as doors or openings for the spirit.
Drinking Sperm
The next extreme in Papua New Guinea culture is sperm drinking. As a sign of already grown up, the Sambia tribe in Papua New Guinea requires its male residents to drink sperm from other male members who have grown up. This ritual is a must for boys aged 7 years old. They believe that this ritual can add to the boys’ strength. In order to perform this masculinity ritual, boys in the Sambia tribe must undergo suctioning of blood from their noses by sticking a wood or pointed grass until the blood flows from their noses.
The blood that flows from the boys’ noses is considered as a Tingu or female power that sticks in the boys’ souls. Once they have done the first ritual, they need to swallow sperm of adult men. By doing this, the Sambia tribe believes that the boys’ tingu will be strong. For boys who oppose and refuse this ritual, the tribal leader will punish them with a death sentence. This ritual will end when a man becomes a father.
Slicing Their Bodies Like Crocodiles
Besides sexual traditions, Papua New Guinea also has a self-hurting tradition done by the Chambri tribe. Here, men pay their respects to crocodiles by cutting their skin to look like crocodile scales. This tribe indeed glorifies crocodiles. They believe that crocodiles are their ancestors that evolved into humans. It is only the tribal leader who is allowed to cut the men’s skin of the Chambri tribe. Before performing this ritual, they first hold a dance ritual and prayers.
Their skins are sliced several times in some parts. During the recovery, it will leave scars that look like crocodile scales. The tribal leader makes 2cm long incisions in males aged 11 years old to 30 years old. Men will usually chew a particular plant to relieve the pain. It is also believed that the plant will make them stronger in the future. This tradition is a sign that a boy becomes a man as well as respect for crocodiles considered as their ancestors.
What do you think about extreme Papua New Guinea culture?
