Berawan & Jolo, an attempt at unbiased extrospection
Cultural Anthropology is the study of multifarious interactions among all cultures of the world. Ethnocentrism often entails the belief that one’s own race or ethnic group is the most important and/or that some or all aspects of its culture are superior to those of other groups. Within this ideology, individuals will judge other groups in relation to their own particular ethnic group or culture, especially with concern to language, behaviour, customs, and religion. -wiki
Xenophobes, beware. The following cultural tales will astound as they are aberrantly taboo [and therefore incredibly interesting].
The Berawan of Borneo
Located in Southeast Asian, Borneo is the 3rd largest island in the world. Rather than ignore death and the elderly steadily approaching it like Americans so often do, the Berawan embrace death and cherish the elderly. Decomposition is linked to the spiritual extrication from the flesh. Qualms do not exist among them to be around the deceased. Traditionally, decomposition takes place in methodic double funerals. I am uncertain if they still practice the subsequent procedures I will describe. During the first funeral, the body is sat upright in the room during a large feast. The Berawan family typically resides in a long house sans partitions. Often, the family will put the deceased in a sealed ceramic jar to expedite the putrefaction. For the purpose of psychological adjustment of loss and respite, they leave the quiescent carrion in the jar for a minimum of 8 months. Money is saved for the subsequent funeral where the jar is opened and the flesh is picked off in order to free the spirit. A feast is held to celebrate the disintegration of human remains that have enabled the soul to separate and move on to the next realm of existence. Consequently, they are overcome with delectation. Also, during said feast the layer of "liquid grandma" [as Professor Garber referred to it] from the bottom of the jar is incorporated into the feast by being poured over the rice.
Jolo Serpent Handlers of Appalachia
Mark 16:15-18 (New King James Version)
15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
Required serpents are assumed to be poisonous and Jolo Serpent throwers solely handle rattlesnakes and copper heads during their ceremonial harangue. Snakes are twirled around the room, floundering aimlessly. Some Jolo are bit over 60 times. They do not subscribe to traditional modern medicine to ameliorate their injuries. Rather, they feel the bite is an egregious harbinger that serves as God’s castigation. The risk of serpent handling is made worthwhile by the promise of eternal salvation. Also, prior to the handling, the serpent is "washed" with cold water. This serves as an unintentional subterfuge to produce a languid state as snakes are cold-blooded and subject to temperature change from their surrounding environment.
---------------------
---------------------
It is difficult to look at both of the aforementioned cultural accounts without biased based on our own culture. Honestly, the idea of a loved one decomposing a few feet away is horrifying; mostly because of the biological logic that it would be pungently odiferous. The bible leaves room for loose interpretation, as does rules and regulations laid down by the law. Assuming the snakes must be poisonous seems somewhat asinine, but I suppose people take risks in many different ways throughout their lives. However, I take umbrage that this takes place among children innocently growing up in a religion they are not old enough to understand and choose to actively participate in.
It is interesting stuff, I think.
- Anthro Leens