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... ”(Malinowski 1984[1922] 213) In the short film entitled “Guardians of the Flute Sambia Male Initiation Rights”, by Gilbert Herdt, at first glance it seems as though he might have made this mistake. The video is primarily focused on the male initiation ritual of the Sambia people of New Guinea. The video does however provide the viewer with an adequate structural functionalist perspective of the social organization, and displays how the activities of the Sambia come together systematically through the use of objects, myths and rituals. Herdt also makes evident to the viewer that the symbols, rituals, practices and social organization form an interlocking system suited to meet the needs of the Sambia based on their environment, history and individual specific needs. ... Herdt describes a “Great War”, after which Sambia warriors fled to the forest, built forts and settled. The Sambia are under constant threat of attack and must be ready at all times. Thus there is a need for fierce warriors and the Sambia philosophy or belief system should be one that will perpetuate such a need. To lack courage in battle is very shameful to the Sambia, and the strength of a man is dependent upon his sexual behavior. ... ” (Evans-Pritchard 1940:296)
With such a need evident Herdt shows that the function of the male initiation ritual is a social institution that provides the tribe with fierce warriors who understand the traditions beliefs and practices necessary to be warriors, fathers and providers. It is through the initiation that a boy learns what he needs to know to become a man through ritual practice and teachings. The video emphasizes that the importance of a boy attaining these qualities through initiation is both beneficial to the individual, as well as the tribal system and organization of the Sambia. ... ” (Malinowski 1984[1922] 213)
At the age of seven or eight or once a Sambia boy realizes he is male he must leave his mother and join the men. Women live separately; because the Sambia believe that menstrual blood infects, pollutes and weakens men. During her final meal with her boy a Sambia mother will give the child a smoked frog which means that she will not see him again.
Approximate Word count = 1818
Approximate Pages = 7.3
(250 words per page double spaced)
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