ANT100Y1 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Cowry, Body Painting, Coconut Oil
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ANT100Y1 Full Course Notes
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The man was laid out on twelve women"s legs with one man at the head because the wido who usually does this was sick. A small lantern was burning and everyone was chanting and crying. One by one, children came in and lay down on their father and wept. Even when a person is ill and death is imminent the wails still come as a shock. When the message of the death spread each person has a role to play: attention is swift and drawn out over long period of time. Uwelasi a powerful chief , second to the tabalu chief. Was close to death but was surrounded by villagers who washed his body and dressed him in a white pandanus penic covering. Skin was rubbed with coconut oil and aromatic grasses were tucked over his fac e. Face painting was applied, white cowrie shell decorations, mark of the chief tied around his legs.
