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Morobe villagers held for practicising sorcery, cargo cult

The National, Papua New Guinea
Nov. 2, 2005
Philip Dowa
www.thenational.com.pg

ReligionNewsBlog.com • Thursday November 3, 2005

About 320 people from three villages in the Wain-Erap area in Nawaeb District have been charged by police for allegedly practising sorcery and cargo cult.

One of the men had been sought by police since early this year in connection with the death of three persons in Gain village.

Wawaringna Hanim, however, only admitted to practising sorcery after he was arrested on Monday by a police team led by Nawaeb police station commander Sgt Rex Kolong.

Five other men have also been charged with practising sorcery.

About 300 people, all aged between 20 and 70, were arrested at Kasin and Sadau.

All were taken to Boana Station where they were charged.

The leaders of the three groups were expected to be taken to Lae this week.

The Kasin group was led by two women – Malamba Kifea and Patsepa Bangere – who treat menses from women as a “sacred water” to enable them “to see invisible things”.

“We read the Bible and in the book of Leviticus, we found strange teachings about women and their monthly period,” Mrs Kifea told The National.

“We were not sure and did not consult our pastor but kept the secret to ourselves after having revelations and seeing cargo and money being given to us.

“We then opened up the cult to everyone and that was when all the good things vanished.”

She said the cult provided them an opportunity to improve their livelihood.

Kasin village is in the most remote part of the district and is about eight hours’ walk from the Boana highway.

In Sadau, two elderly men, Eribu Koponk and Nalaun Kuriong, claimed that using skeletons, they could predict the future and bring prosperity.

Mr Kuriong, who appeared to head the group, said the practice was part of his cultural heritage.

“We use the skull to give blessings,” he said.

“We can invoke blessings for protection, hunting, luck and to increase wealth,” he said.

They used three skulls dug up from their ancestors’ graves to summon “supernatural powers”.

Their followers have to pay a fee to consult the two men who claimed that the proceeds would be used to build a permanent home for the group in the village.

Mr Kuriong said they had planned to register their “cultural practice” with the authorities when police arrested them.

Nawaeb district community development officer Livingston Motoring said cult beliefs were a development issue.

He said life in the villages was harsh as the people lacked basic services and infrastructure such as roads.

“They resort to sorcery in the belief that it will help alleviate their hardship,” he said.

Mr Motoring appealed to the Government to provide funds for roads and other projects to enable the people to participate in socio-economic activities.

Boana Station is about 90km from Lae City.