PNG - Tribal Warfare
Warfare in Papua New Guinea seems to have been endemic, if not particularly destructive, and those who could command the greatest networks of alliances tended to fare best. Tribal fighting in PNG is intended to display courage and show strength to the enemy. Often clans who do not have reasons to fight help others who do. They become allies. During tribal fighting people may be killed and hurt, gardens destroyed, houses burnt and animals killed. There are many reasons for both traditional and contemporary warfare in various societies throughout PNG.Before European colonists established central government, villages were always subject to attack. Most fights started to revenge an insult to a leader or an injury to a villager. Accusations of sorcery or theft could also cause an attack. Disputes over land boundaries occurred often in some areas. Today, the Inter-Group Fighting Act of 1977 gives the authorities special powers to punish groups in areas where fighting takes place.
Shedding of blood was thought to be an evidence of achieving manhood for young men. Headhunting was not normally carried on, but enemy heads were occasionally preserved. At worst, the losers were dispersed to take refuge with friendly groups. Those defeated were not made slaves. Spears, axes, clubs, and daggers were used as weapons everywhere. In eastern Papua, slings were used. However, in other parts, bows and arrows were the most important weapons. Fighting shields were made of bark, woven rattan, or carved planks. Shields were carried to stop arrows. The shields could represent scared objects or have painted faces that represent clan spirits who would protect the person carrying the shield.
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