Pigs possess the intrinsic value to address social issues
17 October 2014
JIMMY AWAGL
An entry in the Rivers Prize for
Writing on Peace & Harmony
PIGS are widely domesticated as pets in Papua New Guinea as well as being important for social and commercial purposes.
According to the social philosophy of Simbu, pigs are symbolic of both wealth and identity. They are given regard higher than other domestic animals.
They are also related to manhood, hence men feel obliged to own at least a pig or two.
Every household in Simbu villages has a customary obligation to domesticate a pig in to avoid negative comments and criticism from their tribesmen.
So Simbus keep tame pigs to boost their social status within communities. People see pigs as having the intrinsic value to promote individual wealth and prestige.
In many cases, a person with a large number of pigs is a legitimate leader who makes decisions and talks on behalf of the community.
It is a customary obligation for every community and also for family members to contribute a pig to address an issue or contribute to a gathering. Every bride price, death ceremony, feast, and compensation concludes with slaughtering and exchanging pigs.
“Yu nogat pik, yu nogat nem long komuniti” (If you do not own a pig than you have no value in the community),” said Sine Kumugl, an elderly chief from the Sikaku tribe in Yongomugl.
“Make sure your wife domesticates a pig to expose your identity.”
This sets a benchmark for everyone to own a pig and to contribute meaningfully in social activities to maintain their identity and importance.
It’s your obligation to repay people who contribute towards your bride price or compensation when they have a need for a pig at a later date. The size of the pig does not matter.
If there is a shortfall of cash when addressing sensitive issues like compensation, the balance of money is converted into pigs. In every Simbu society, people accept that pigs have more value than money.
The cost of pigs in Simbu and elsewhere is more expensive than a 21-inch television set. On frequent occasions the cost of the pig is twice the cost of a TV.
Once pigs are presented at the compensation ceremony, they supersede money and make possible compromise and peace and unity reign.
Thanks Ron Kone. Other aspects of how significant and valuable the pig is today as in the past have been highlighted by you.
It shows how valuable a pig is from every component of its parts.
Pigs nowadays are part of our identity as well as a valuable animal asset.
Posted by: Jimmy Awagl | 21 October 2014 at 10:30 AM
Jimmy, you're correct. In my area, we have traditional ways to grow tusks, especially from sows because it is rare for sows to grow tusks.
To pay back a sow with tusks in traditional feasting it costs the recipient three to four times more.
Other skills - such as fattening, increasing lean meat, deworming, selection of best breed, etc - were passed down through generations.
This animal has been around for centuries.
Posted by: Ron Kone | 21 October 2014 at 09:41 AM