Category: Sepik story

The story of Makapasapa and Sasaap

A Kwoma myth story which I heard from David Kaipuk, a Kwoma elder, on my first expedition along the Sepik, in 2012. Then, he told me only a part of it, saying that the rest belongs to other clans. Afterwards, I saw motifs from the Makapsapa myth painted and carved inside the tambaran, and even on the posts of the Ambunti market.
In 2015, I recorded the complete story from Kowspi brothers, two Kwoma artists.

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Collecting folk tales along the Sepik River, Papua New Guinea

Between 2012 and 2018, I travelled to remote communities along the Sepik. I found my way by word of mouth, through extended families, following their stories. I joined my hosts working sago, catching fish, hunting, trading crocodile skins and gold-mining. I attended ritual ceremonies, watched trials for custom-breaking and sorcery, witnessed wife exchanges and listened to every-day issues mixing old taboos and nowadays solutions.
Several elders and young artists were receptive to share their stories with me.

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