The Asmat is a tribe who inhabit a small portion of the southern coast of Irian Jaya, on the island of New Guinea. Their religion revolves around rituals and magic and they are renowned for their cannibalism, intricate wooden carvings and custom of headhunting. These practices stood for many hundreds of years before white settlement and after that, Indonesian rule; which prevented the Asmat from practising their culture. Headhunting is now a thing of the past and many Asmat are encouraged to labour for money. .
Myths.
The predominant myth of the Asmat religion, is that of creation. The Asmat believe this is the story of conception:.
Neso-Ipitj (man of the wound) indoctrinated his brother, Bewir-Ipitj, to behead him. When his head fell from his shoulders, stars sprayed out and occupied the universe. Furthermore, Fumerew-Ipitj, a wood-carver, died while canoeing down a grand river. War, a white-tailed eagle, encountered the corpse, and when he pressed embers against it, brought the wood-carver back to life. .
Newborn, Fumerew-Ipitj built a great lodge and filled it with carved figures from trees of men and women. When his work was completed, he commenced to play the sacred drum. Gradually the wood turned into flesh, and the wooden figures became humans. .
Origin.
The Asmat live in the coastal region of South Central New Guinea. Their region is covered with mud, water and jungle. With the resources of the jungle they make their weapons, construct their homes and build their canoes. .
Rituals.
The ritual shown in the film is called "Bis". To begin Bis, the Asmat journey into the jungle to find a sacred pole, which only the mangrove tree can produce. The wielders of the axe are only the best headhunters. The Asmat believe that the tree has the same spirit as the headhunter's. To intimidate the tree's spirit, the axeman sings the name of all his victims. Once this part of the ceremony has concluded, the trunk of the tree is carted home.
