HUMAN ANCESTOR SKULL #13 |
HUMAN BONE, FEATHERS, CARVED BONE NOSE RING, FIBER, SEEDS, BEADS |
sub-groups with shared linguistic and cultural affinities and sense of shared identity. These twelve Asmat groups include Joirat, Emari Ducur, Bismam, Becembub, Simai, Kenekap, Unir Siran, Unir Epmak, Safan, Aramatak, Bras, and Yupmakcain. Further complicating the issue, these groups speak approximately five dialects (Casuarina Coast Asmat, Yaosakor Asmat, Central Asmat, North Asmat, Citak). However, at some important level these groups share a sense of identity and would likely refer to themselves as "Asmat". The first colonial post was established in the Asmat area in Agats in 1938. This small outpost was closed in 1942 due to the onset of World War II. After the war, Father G. Zegwaard, a Dutch Missionary, began patrols into Asmat from the Mimika area to the west. In 1953, Zegwaard re-established the post in Agats, which was to become the government headquarters and the base for Roman Catholic missionaries. It was not until Catholic missionaries established the post in 1953 that significant interaction with the Asmat people began. Catholic missionaries, many with degrees in anthropology, were successful in persuading the Asmat to stop cannibalism and headhunting! THE ASMAT TRIBE, FROM IRIAN JAYA INDONESIA, ATTACH FEATHERS, SEEDS, AND CARVED SEA SHELL NOSE RINGS TO THEIR DECEASED ANCESTOR'S SKULLS. THE DAYAK, IFUGAO, AND NAGA HUMAN SKULLS ARE HEAD HUNTING TROPHIES. THE ASMAT "ANCESTOR" SKULLS. THE DIFFERENCE IS; HEAD HUNTED SKULLS ARE ACQUIRED FROM ENEMY ANCESTOR SKULLS ARE COLLECTED AND VENERATED TO REMEMBER DECEASED FAMILY MEMBERS. THE IFUGAO COLLECT BONES OF DEAD RELATIVES; WRAP THEM IN TRIBAL TEXTILES, AND STORE THEM IN THE RAFTERS UNDER THEIR HUTS. HUMAN SKULLS AND SKULL CAPS FROM NEPAL ARE RITUAL OFFERTORY VESSELS THAT ARE USED AS DRINKING CUPS IN TIBETAN BUDDHIST CEREMONIES. |
|