Balance

Though difficult to comprehend, it is important to consider practices such as headhunting and cannibalism within the Asmat belief system. Almost every Asmat action is motivated by a philosophy of balance which requires equilibrium in all interactions. When imbalance occurs, the Asmat suffer from illness, death, hunger and other misfortunes. Therefore, they are vigilant about their responsibility to maintain equilibrium in every aspect of their lives. In the case of headhunting in the past, an Asmat was acting responsibly when he reacted to a death in his village by killing an enemy from another village. Births and deaths are experienced as a way of balancing the number of living people with the number of spirits.

Keeping the cosmos in balance is critical for survival and order in the Asmat society. Balance must be maintained with one’s spirits, enemies, peers, family and environment. Reciprocity maintains an equilibrium which produces harmony.

The headhunting cycle captures the need for balance. The spirits of those killed in headhunting cannot go to Safan, the spirit world, until an equal number of people have been killed from among those who caused the initial imbalance. Deaths caused by malevolent magic require the same response. Restoring balance, not revenge, is thus the goal.

The animal world is also balanced with the human. “Titokon of Erma possessed extraordinary magic in hunting crocodiles. By selling the skins… he obtained many prized goods, which enhanced his prestige in the village… One day, however, his son drowned. Titokon immediately concluded that a spirit crocodile he had killed had retaliated by taking his son. He ceased to hunt crocodiles for many years. Once he felt that animosity no longer existed… he took up hunting again with the same luck. Soon after, his grandson died; it was clear that the animosity had not really ceased. Titokon no longer hunts crocodiles.” (Sowada, “Primary Asmat Religions and Philosophical Concepts”, EMBODIED SPIRITS: Ritual Carvings of the Asmat, Schneebaum, 1990, p. 69.)

Marriages are arranged to maintain balance. If two families can exchange daughters, everything works easily. Gifts of food or tools might be required however, to ensure an equal exchange. The promise of a future bride might also suffice, but the high rate of infant mortality frequently complicates these arrangements and leads to disruptions.

The exchange of food and services is guided by reciprocity. Debts are remembered and require payment. Failure to make payments disrupts village life significantly.

Ceremonial or ritual events can also restore balance. In some cases of extreme animosity between villages, a person might risk offering himself to the enemy as a peace offering. If accepted, peace followed. If not, the cycle would continue.

Pregnancy is also a matter of balance, namely maintaining a balance between the number of relatives in the spirit world and in the physical world.