The members of the tribe, especially men, have to undergo the practice of “sculpting” their bodies to prove their maturity.
The Chambri tribe living near the city of Port Moresby in the island nation of Papua New Guinea, in Oceania, is famous for its ritual body sculpting to own dry, tough skin like a crocodile.
According to Chambri legend, humans evolved from crocodiles and descended from the Sepik River. This animal, although ugly in shape, is extremely strong. Children who reach adulthood will participate in the traditional rituals of their tribe.
The members of the tribe, especially men, have to undergo the practice of “sculpting” their bodies to prove their maturity. (Dailymail photo).
To participate in the ceremony, the children have to go through the process of “challenging” from members of the tribe by slandering and swearing. And if they can overcome those words, they will be recognized as mature enough.
When performing the ritual, the patriarch will directly use sharp objects to carve the child’s back, shoulder blades and front chest. They used fire smoke, clay, and tree oil to fill the incisions to make them larger.
The patriarch will directly use sharp objects to carve the child’s back, shoulder blades, and front chest. (Dailymail photo).
In this way, the longer the “patterns” on the body, the more mature and mature the man is. Those who have more scars are lucky to have health, strong and tough like crocodiles.
The Chambri’s rituals are very dangerous because the use of a knife to cut each line on the body causes the boys to suffer pain, lose a lot of blood and make life difficult. Many people have infected incisions but are not allowed to take medicine but are forced to endure pain, wait for the wound to heal or chew on a plant that the tribe considers a “panacea” to treat diseases.
Those who have more scars are lucky to have health, strong and tough like crocodiles. (Dailymail photo).
According to the American anthropologist, Gilbert H. Herdt: “The Chambri tribe lived in 3 villages of Indingai, Kilimbit and Wombum, living mainly by hunting and gathering”.
“The main food source is abundant fish and sago – a starchy plant that originates from the small lake of the same name Chambri,” said Gilbert.
Chambri people worship religion, they still keep long-standing rules and customs such as absolutely not praying or saying their ancestors’ names out loud to show respect, remove malice or iniquity from within. heart.
Not only the back, limbs, chest of the Chambri are also “engraved” on the face. (Dailymail photo).
Some old people in the tribe have the ability to talk, get along with the gods, and understand heaven and earth. They have their own sign language, but it is not disclosed, but only communicated to people with good intentions. These people often have the role of warding off evil spirits and treating diseases for the villagers.
The Chambri believe that worshiping and praying to their ancestors or sacred animals in the forest helps them gain health and avoid all diseases.
The strange custom is maintained to this day, considered part of the culture of the tribe. However, many people think that traditional rituals should be abandoned because they are not suitable for the times and dangerous to life.