Wogeo Menstrauting Men
MaKisha R. Williams
SS-473
04/28/14
The beliefs of the Wogeo people can be summed up with the phrase that was told to the author of The Island of Menstruating Men, Ian Hogbin, “Men play flutes, women bear infants.”(Hogbin 101) The Wogeo taboo on interaction between males and females declares that they will be safer, less vulnerable, healthy and prosperous if they refrain from interacting with the opposite sex. The notion of not interacting with the opposite sex causes separateness between the two which can be seen in the differences of how rituals, events and ceremonies are conducted. In addition to taboos, the separateness is also reflected in daily functions where they remain apart while working or at leisure. They perform different tasks, have different family roles and have different legal obligations. The women exert authority, in the domestic circle, but in the larger political ring they are powerless. However, they enjoy a higher status than is customary in New Guinea, creating a relative social equality between them and the men. Just as taboos are the driving forces creating the social divide between men and women, they are also the cause of the relative social equality. Although the women are slightly subordinate to the men, they are by no means pawns or slaves, and have power to keep things more socially balanced. The men may use their strength and power to beat their spouses but they refrain from doing so because of the fear of retaliation that would cause imminent death. The taboo says that menstruating women can bring about death to another person simply by touching them or their property, without harming herself. The taboo is similar for men, however if a man touches someone or something he, too, will suffer the same fate as his victim. Similarly, the men need the women to help to maintain the gardens and children. The simple fact that women have the ability to regularly menstruate naturally also gives them social power over the
SS-473
04/28/14
The beliefs of the Wogeo people can be summed up with the phrase that was told to the author of The Island of Menstruating Men, Ian Hogbin, “Men play flutes, women bear infants.”(Hogbin 101) The Wogeo taboo on interaction between males and females declares that they will be safer, less vulnerable, healthy and prosperous if they refrain from interacting with the opposite sex. The notion of not interacting with the opposite sex causes separateness between the two which can be seen in the differences of how rituals, events and ceremonies are conducted. In addition to taboos, the separateness is also reflected in daily functions where they remain apart while working or at leisure. They perform different tasks, have different family roles and have different legal obligations. The women exert authority, in the domestic circle, but in the larger political ring they are powerless. However, they enjoy a higher status than is customary in New Guinea, creating a relative social equality between them and the men. Just as taboos are the driving forces creating the social divide between men and women, they are also the cause of the relative social equality. Although the women are slightly subordinate to the men, they are by no means pawns or slaves, and have power to keep things more socially balanced. The men may use their strength and power to beat their spouses but they refrain from doing so because of the fear of retaliation that would cause imminent death. The taboo says that menstruating women can bring about death to another person simply by touching them or their property, without harming herself. The taboo is similar for men, however if a man touches someone or something he, too, will suffer the same fate as his victim. Similarly, the men need the women to help to maintain the gardens and children. The simple fact that women have the ability to regularly menstruate naturally also gives them social power over the