Kaningara tribesmen, who inhabit the Blackwater
river, a major tributary of the river Sepik in Papua New Guinea have a rather
bloody rites of passage ritual. The Blackwater river is infested with
crocodiles and is pitch black in its depths because of the decaying plants.
Kaningara celebrate and revere crocodiles, which serve as a pretext to the
initiation ceremony for young men – skin mutilation to make it look more
reptilian and to emphasize their adulthood.
An ancestor was hunting in a canoe and saw
something in the water, the man dived deep into the water where he spotted a
spirit house and within it lived a crocodile. The man remained
with the crocodile for months learning its secrets and power. When the man returned to his village, he taught his people how to build spirit houses as well as how to cut their skin to
resemble a crocodile. The Kaningara rely on the power and knowledge of the crocodile spirit ever since.
The initiate's dance from dusk till dawn to test strength as well as to bond with fellow tribesmen.
with the crocodile for months learning its secrets and power. When the man returned to his village, he taught his people how to build spirit houses as well as how to cut their skin to
resemble a crocodile. The Kaningara rely on the power and knowledge of the crocodile spirit ever since.
The initiate's dance from dusk till dawn to test strength as well as to bond with fellow tribesmen.
Bloody pictures beneath, please be warned!
The Preparation Process
Kaningara boys are secluded for 2 months upstairs in the Spirit House where they learn carefully guarded secrets of tribal knowledge from elders.
The initiates are only allowed outside briefly but only if they are covered in shroud.
As part of preparation, the men sing in the spirit house teaching the initiates sacred chants and mythologies which will help them become men .
This education also allows them to train for their future roles in society.
The Day Before the Ritual
The initiate’s learn chants, songs, genealogies and receive special instructions only initiated Kaningara men know.
Kaningara boys are secluded for 2 months upstairs in the Spirit House where they learn carefully guarded secrets of tribal knowledge from elders.
The initiates are only allowed outside briefly but only if they are covered in shroud.
As part of preparation, the men sing in the spirit house teaching the initiates sacred chants and mythologies which will help them become men .
This education also allows them to train for their future roles in society.
The Day Before the Ritual
The initiate’s learn chants, songs, genealogies and receive special instructions only initiated Kaningara men know.
This is also for psychological and physical transformation .
The Day of the Ritual
They prepare their skin with ginger and coconut oil rubbed upon the areas that will be cut.
The initiates lay down and are cradled by their uncles while the professional cutter cuts open onto the initiate’s body.
Traditionally, the tool used for the ritual is a bamboo sliver, today razors are used.
The ritual takes over an hour where they will receive over 1000 severed cuts.
They are given a leaf to chew their teeth with during the cutting.
Their backs, buttocks, and chest all receive multiple lacerations with bamboo slivers, creating scars that when healed form keloid scars .
They won’t be able to leave until the cutting has ended. The Spirit House
The Spirit House is where this sacred ritual takes place, which is the source of strength and power.
Women are forbidden to enter the spirit house, only grown men are permitted to enter the sacred building (Tattoo Hunter, 2011).
The Day of the Ritual
They prepare their skin with ginger and coconut oil rubbed upon the areas that will be cut.
The initiates lay down and are cradled by their uncles while the professional cutter cuts open onto the initiate’s body.
Traditionally, the tool used for the ritual is a bamboo sliver, today razors are used.
The ritual takes over an hour where they will receive over 1000 severed cuts.
They are given a leaf to chew their teeth with during the cutting.
Their backs, buttocks, and chest all receive multiple lacerations with bamboo slivers, creating scars that when healed form keloid scars .
They won’t be able to leave until the cutting has ended. The Spirit House
The Spirit House is where this sacred ritual takes place, which is the source of strength and power.
Women are forbidden to enter the spirit house, only grown men are permitted to enter the sacred building (Tattoo Hunter, 2011).
The Aftermath & Healing Process
The Kaningara Tribe
400 inhabitants live on the Sepik River in Papua New Guinea.
Less than 70 years ago the tribesmen were headhunters.
They do not pursue headhunting today, however, continue to fight rival tribes to protect their village and land.
They believe strength comes from the power of the spirits.
They worship the crocodile, the most powerful creature in the jungle.
One Week Before the Ritual
The initiate’s spend a week before the ritual in the spirit house where they are put on a special diet to soften their skin.
They learning songs, rituals and taboos that should not violate such as revealing secrets after seclusion to women, family members and outsiders for they fear they will steal the power of the crocodile.
If a boy breaks a taboo he will die in the spirit house. In some cases results have ended in death.
For days they rest and recuperate in order for the crocodile’s power to seep into their bodies.
A special paste made from clay is put into their cuts with a feather to become infected.
The more infected the cuts, the more largely and more beautiful the scars become.
A week after the scarring, the elders prepare the new men for the graduation ceremony where they are presented to the rest of the tribe and honored for their strength and bravery
The Kaningara Tribe
400 inhabitants live on the Sepik River in Papua New Guinea.
Less than 70 years ago the tribesmen were headhunters.
They do not pursue headhunting today, however, continue to fight rival tribes to protect their village and land.
They believe strength comes from the power of the spirits.
They worship the crocodile, the most powerful creature in the jungle.
One Week Before the Ritual
The initiate’s spend a week before the ritual in the spirit house where they are put on a special diet to soften their skin.
They learning songs, rituals and taboos that should not violate such as revealing secrets after seclusion to women, family members and outsiders for they fear they will steal the power of the crocodile.
If a boy breaks a taboo he will die in the spirit house. In some cases results have ended in death.
For days they rest and recuperate in order for the crocodile’s power to seep into their bodies.
A special paste made from clay is put into their cuts with a feather to become infected.
The more infected the cuts, the more largely and more beautiful the scars become.
A week after the scarring, the elders prepare the new men for the graduation ceremony where they are presented to the rest of the tribe and honored for their strength and bravery
Symbolism of Pain
Pain is crucial for transforming a boy into a man.
Since the men have undergone this agonizing ritual, they are capable of conquering any problems in life .
It is a test of strength and discipline.
Their culture has survived because of the continuation of the
ancient ritual.
They mark themselves for important life changing events.
Before being treated as a man, the boys are subjected to humiliation for weeks.
The boys are referred to as women and are referred to that way in order to mentally strengthen them .
By getting cut they get rid of female traits.
The scars are impressive and beautiful to the women of the tribe.
They can get married because they are considered independent men
They mark themselves for important life changing events.
Before being treated as a man, the boys are subjected to humiliation for weeks.
The boys are referred to as women and are referred to that way in order to mentally strengthen them .
By getting cut they get rid of female traits.
The scars are impressive and beautiful to the women of the tribe.
They can get married because they are considered independent men
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