An Abelam myth story.
During a trip along the Sepik, I heard a folk tale about a powerful spirit-man who became a yam (a sweet potato) and drifted down the river spreading around Maprik, where the Abelam tribes were living.
Two years later, I arrived at the Abelams and recorded their side of that tumbuna story of the deity which brought the yam to their lands.
Tag: Tongujamb
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.
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.
Mamas’ Life skills training in Tongujamb (Sepik River, PNG)
Responding to the requests of the women from the Blek Wara (a wetland area) close to Washkuk Hill, on the Middle Sepik course, the heads of the communities organized a workshop – Women life skills training, in Tongujamb, 2015.The Catholic Church from Wewak sent two sisters to teach them how to bake and sew using a machine. Up to 150 […]
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Fish basket (Sepik River, PNG)
In 2015, the dry season came earlier on the Middle Sepik. The drought shrank the wide, dark water lakes to small ponds, and narrowed the channels that connect the inland villages with the Sepik River.One day, I saw women gathering with enthusiasm at the almost dry creek with their fishnet baskets. I took my camera and join the party. After […]
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Spirits’ houses and Kwoma people, (Sepik River)
The Kowmas are among the very few ethnic groups along the Middle Sepik course, that continues the tradition of tambaran and singsing (ceremony) after the missionaries’ assault. The tambaran is a powerful place, the gathering of the male ancestors’ spirits. Pillars, crossbars, roof and walls are carved and painted with motifs from their mythology.
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