ResearchOnline@JCU This file is part of the following reference: Glass, Rosalind Dawn (2011) "It's all about the blood": eating the head food: the cultural indebtedness of the North Fore. PhD thesis, James Cook University. Access to this file is available from: http://eprints.jcu.edu.au/28072/ The author has certified to JCU that they have made a reasonable effort to gain permission and acknowledge the owner of any third party copyright material included in this document. If you believe that this is not the case, please contact [email protected] and quote http://eprints.jcu.edu.au/28072/ “It’s All About the Blood”: EATING THE HEAD FOOD The Cultural Indebtedness of the North Fore Rosalind Dawn Glass A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy The Department of Archaeology, Anthropology and Sociology James Cook University, Cairns Campus February 2011 STATEMENT OF ACCESS I, the undersigned author of this work, understand that James Cook University will make this thesis available for use within the University Library and, via the Australian Digital Thesis network, for use elsewhere. I understand that, as an unpublished work, a thesis has significant protection under the Copyright Act and; I wish the following restrictions to be placed on this work: In consulting this thesis I agree not to copy or closely paraphrase it in whole or in part without the written consent of the author; and to make proper public written acknowledgement for any assistance that I have obtained from it. ----------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Rosalind Dawn Glass i STATEMENT OF SOURCES – DECLARATION Except where reference is made in the text, this thesis is the results of the research carried out by the author. This thesis contains no material published elsewhere or used for the qualification of a degree or diploma. Rosalind Dawn Glass February 2011. Department of Archaeology, Anthropology and Sociology Faculty Arts, Education & Social Science James Cook University, Cairns Campus. ii STATEMENT OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF OTHERS Research on this thesis was undertaken with the assistance of an Australian Postgraduate Award by James Cook University from March 2003 – September 2006. The James Cook University, Faculty of Arts, Education and Social Science, Graduate Research Scheme provided further financial assistance in March 2006. Dusk Glass formatted all diagrams and provided the photos displayed as Figures 1, 27 – 31. Brigitta Flick assisted with proof-reading. ETHICS DECLARATION The research presented and reported in this thesis was conducted within the guidelines for research ethics outlined in the National Statement on Ethics Conduct in Research Involving Human (1999), the Joint NHMRC/AVCC Statement and Guidelines on Research Practice (1997), the James Cook University Policy on Experimentation Ethics, Standard Practices and Guidelines (2001), and the James Cook University Statement and Guidelines on Research Practice (2001). The proposed research methodology received clearance from the James Cook University Experimentation Ethics Review Committee (approval number H1709). _________________ ___________ Rosalind Dawn Glass February 2011. iii For P.W. Marabe iv Figure 1: Purago & I at the National Sports Institute, Goroka, 2004 v Acknowledgements First, I extend my thanks to Purago W. Marabe, a Moke clansman from Moke village, Okapa who is the catalyst for this thesis; Namako, for taking me to Moke and for facilitating this project, I sincerely thank you for the entire journey; from bringing me into your family as wife, co-wife, daughter-in-law; sister-in-law and mother and for sharing your hill with me at Wasanamuti. Above all, I thank you for your patience in finessing your answers to my endless cultural and linguistic queries. In Port Moresby, Castan Maibawa (the then Member for Okapa) and his wife and family welcomed us, and prayed for our safe travel. To my tambus in Port Moresby, the Moke clans people at Nine Mile, Hohola and Erima, for sharing food and company on the many nights in your homes, I thank you. Special thanks to Johnson Wabata for his particular care in ‘taking me around’ whilst in Port Moresby. Brian Kagayavi, and family, also provided us with a home, family life and great conversation whilst we were in Port Moresby. In Goroka, Purago’s elder sister Sarah Wabata welcomed us, until the rain finally abated allowing us to travel to Okapa. In Moke village, Purago’s paternal grandmother Ando, was my constant companion. Ando, I welcomed your companionship and I thank you for your constant gifts of food, your warmth, love, patience, worry, care and guidance; and in particular, for your tears when times were tough. Despite our age difference and language barriers, you were one of my greatest teachers regarding women’s moral responsibility toward her family and clan. Heartfelt thanks are extended to the Marabe/Wabata family for welcoming me as your tambu: to (Purago’s parents), Auta (Wabata) and Inoya (Igana), and his siblings Sarah, Evata, Posa, Mena, Tara, Johnny, Vince, Glenda and families, vi and in particular, to Ando, for the gift of our beautiful child Duski. Iyo Wabata, (the second wife of Wabata), provided me with thoughtful guidance on public occasions in teaching me how to enact my responsibilities of wife, mother and daughter-in-law. To Wima, Ombu, Julie, Mala and Epi, many thanks for your joyful companionship. To Wenna (third wife of Wabata) and daughter Tataga, I also extend my appreciation and thanks. To all the members of Moke village, and in particular, to my fieldworkers Kenneth Ossa and Nellie Tobaru for your assistance in undertaking interviews and ‘turning the talk’, I extend my thanks to you and I want you to know that I could not have done this work without you. Special thanks are also extended to the many residents of Moke village for taking part in this research project. Special thanks to Pastor Hanky Tueyanto of the Lutheran Congregation for providing us with thoughtful conversation and guidance, and in particular, for extending the invitation to Purago and I to attend the Basket Exchange in Markham in 2004. This was a very memorable occasion. I also extend my gratitude for the evening with all the Lutheran Pastors throughout the Okapa District during the time of Purago’s campaign for the seat of Okapa during the 2007 national elections. The thoughtful and heartfelt words spoken are etched into my mind. A special thanks to all the members of the Pindogori Cooperative, for the fond memories of all the events associated with the Coop’s foundation and formation. To my colleagues associated with the Coop, Francesca Rampa, Elise McAuley and Boyd Williams, I also extend my thanks. To you Francesca, a special thanks for your great meals, hospitality and friendship whilst in Port Morseby; and to you Boyd, it was especially great to have the company of a fellow Australian for those couple of months in 2005. vii I wish to extend special thanks to the many women that made my time in Moke village companionable. Mama Lucy, your love is exemplified in the many bilums of home-grown food, our walks between Moke and Emasa, your hospitality and in being a shining example of a fit meri. I also extend my thanks to you for the information supplied to me at the time of receiving brideprice, and of the Ibaena prestation. To my noando, (very good friends) Kegeriso and Akeku, thanks for your love, care and guidance and as exemplars of fit Moke meris. I also extend my special thanks to Kundi Kundi, for your care in providing me with water daily, and for your devotion in becoming a ‘little mother’ to Duski. To Karondo Marabe I am indebted both for your companionship and love, your assistance with lighting fires and other domestic help, but in particular for the gift of my daughter. Special thanks also to Silas Poraka for your guidance during the tiena. I also extend my thanks to Kilo and family for your hospitality whilst in Kamila, to Mama Kina, for your care and companionship in Port Moresby and Purosa. And to all who walked with me on the Okapa Road and on Purago’s campaign trail to Gimi and Mount Ivarato I would like you to know that these treks and journeys will forever remain in my memory. Back in Australia, my daughter Dusk Glass, and friend Phillipa Yencken had the bureaucratic task of redirecting my Australian Postgraduate Scholarship to PNG; for your care and attention to this essential task, I thank you both. Further thanks to Dusk for taking the time to visit me in the field, and for the many parcels of goods sent from home. Special thanks also to Shelley Peychers for your hospitality during my time in Australia in 2005. Moreover, on a personal level, I extend thanks to Pip Yencken and Paul Fisk, Neil Christianson, Yvonne Petrusma, Melissa McQuillan, Gitamo, Bruce White and Alicia Jamieson, Peter viii Whalley, Lawrence Hammar, Dave Berrick, Nadja Mack, Louise Taylor, Louise Cassan, Naomi Howell, Mark Ayre-Smith for your friendship and encouragement. Heartfelt thanks to Dr Mike Wood at James Cook University for your initial encouragement in undertaking this project, and your endless patience in reading the many drafts of this thesis. Also special thanks to Dr Dundi Mitchell for her commitment to my project, and for believing in me. Special thanks also to Dr Douglas Miles of JCU, Townsville for your encouragement and the meticulous attention for your initial reading of chapter three. Thanks for the uplifting company in the post-grad room, to my colleagues Rod Owens, Jennifer Gabriel, Kevin Mayo, Kiah Williams, Marilyn Anderson, Matthew Williams, Ron Pierce and our visiting scholars Gemma Wieberg and Yachio. To you Jenny, I extend my special thanks both on a personal and collegial level, for the many discussions and cups of tea shared.