article

Mortuary rites in New Ireland (Bismarck Archipelago)

Oceania2 • Published In 1931 • Pages: 26-43

By: Powdermaker, Hortense.

Abstract
The author did her field work for this article under the auspices of the Australian National Research Council. The mortuary rites described here were observed in the villages located on the east coast of New Ireland. The article includes information on the natives' attitude toward death, preparation before death, funeral rites, mourning rites, periodic feasts after death, and the emotional response of the relatives and community members during the rites.
Subjects
Life and death
Eschatology
Status and treatment of the aged
Aftermath of combat
Kin relationships
Family relationships
Dying
Burial practices and funerals
Gift giving
Cult of the dead
Status, role, and prestige
Sacred objects and places
culture
Lesu
HRAF PubDate
2012
Region
Oceania
Sub Region
Melanesia
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Robert Lee ; 1961
Field Date
1929-1930
Coverage Date
1920-1931
Coverage Place
Lesu, New Ireland, Papau New Guinea
Notes
Hortense Powdermaker
Includes bibliographical references
LCCN
38017490
LCSH
New Ireland Province (Papua New Guinea)
Ethnology--Papua New Guinea--New Ireland
Lesu, New Ireland (Papua New Guinea)