![]() It affords a glimpse at the real (mostly unconsidered or misunderstood) reasons why 'civilized' people wish to encounter the 'primitive'. It is an attempt to discover the place of 'the Other' in the popular imagination. The second journey (the real text of the film) is a metaphysical one. ![]() the packaged version of a 'heart of darkness'. The first is that depicted - rich and bourgeois tourists on a luxury-cruise up the mysterious Sepik River, in the jungles of Papua New Guinea. Sarah, a successful storekeeper on the Trobriand Islands, deals with both currencies and agrees on the need for such an institution.Ī provocative film for both anthropology and economics classes." Yet Henry has the support of many in his community. Further hindering his crusade is his pending court case for misappropriating public funds to establish an informal bank. Even the work "bank" cannot be used to describe his operation. Henry's dream is frustrated by the regulation of the banking business. ![]() However, by standards set by the global economy they are cash poor. They need cash only for transportation, school fees and taxes. They build their houses, farm their land and barter for any extra items. In a traditional economy, indigenous people live quite well without money. "Shell money gets exchanged within the community, but paper money just goes away." He feels that the global economy takes a heavy toll on indigenous people. Henry Tokabak dreams of creating a bank where people can exchange their shell money for cash. ![]() But there exists no legitimate system of exchange between the two. The modern cash economy and a traditional economy based around shell money, banana leaf bundles and pig tusks. "There are two currencies in Papua New Guinea. Guardians of the Flutes is a fascinating look at a society helped by the ritualized distinction between male and female roles. The most secret part of the initiation are the sexual rites, which are described by several initiates. They are thrashed, deprived of food and sleep and have ginger root rubbed into wounds, which is very painful. Each is assigned an older guardian who accompanies him during this process. When it is time for the boys to become men, they undergo a severe initiation. For many, the separation from their mother is very painful. Male children live with their mothers until they are old enough to move to the boys' house. Her menstrual blood is considered a pollutant, damaging to her husband's vigor. A woman must crouch if she is in the same space as her husband. They live in separate spaces in their round huts. This is a society where the roles of men and women are sharply delineated. Only because their culture is threatened have they allowed these initiation rites to be documented on film. "High in the mountains of New Guinea live the Sambia people, a war-like tribe whose secret rituals of initiation are aimed at making their warriors courageous and bold. Guardians of the Flutes: The Secrets of Male Initiation The film closes with the puberty rite of a young girl." The different stages of the preparation and cooking of sago are shown. It describes their everyday activities in the ‘gardens' in order to produce the staple food (sago). "A detailed account of domestic life in the Sepik area of Papua New Guinea, mainly from the women's point of view. Papua New Guinea Garden Days: Village in Papua New Guinea
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