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Of Humans, Pigs, and Souls – An Essay on the Yagwoia "Womba" Complex

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Of Humans, Pigs, and Souls delves into the Yagwoia-Anga people's belief in the "womba" complex, a malignant force causing cravings for pig meat and human flesh. Drawing from extensive ethnographic research in Papua New Guinea and employing existential phenomenology and psychoanalysis, Jadran Mimica examines the cultural, moral, and existential dimensions of the womba complex. The book situates this phenomenon within broader practices of mortuary rites, historical cannibalism, and sorcery, shedding light on Yagwoia selfhood, agency, and subjectivity. It also considers the effects of rising witchcraft fears in the region amid waves of Christian evangelism.
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This monograph is suited for graduate and advanced undergraduate students studying anthropology, cultural studies, or religious studies, as well as researchers interested in Papua New Guinea's cultural phenomena, witchcraft, and the interplay of traditional beliefs with modern influences.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

For the Yagwoia-Anga people of Papua New Guinea, "womba" is a malignant power with the potential to afflict any soul with cravings for pig meat and human flesh. Drawing on long-term research among the Yagwoia and informed by existential phenomenology and psychoanalysis, Jadran Mimica explores the womba complex in its local cultural-existential determinations and regional permutations.

He attends to the lived experience of this complex in relation to the wider context of mortuary practices, historical cannibalism, and sorcery. This wider womba complex, including its regional permutations, illuminates the moral meanings of Yagwoia selfhood and its sense of agency and subjectivity.

Mimica concludes by reflecting on the recent escalation of concerns with witchcraft and sorcery in Papua New Guinea, specifically in relation to the new wave of Christian evangelism occurring in partnership with the state. A short monograph grounded in ethnographic description, this book is perfect for both graduate and advanced undergraduate teaching.

Series: Wiley Keys to Success

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  • Of Humans, Pigs, and Souls – An Essay on the Yagwoia "Womba" Complex
    For the Yagwoia-Anga people of Papua New Guinea, "womba" is a malignant power with the potential to afflict any soul with cravings for pig meat and human flesh. Drawing on long-term research among the Yagwoia and informed by existential phenomenology and psychoanalysis, Jadran Mimica explores the womba complex in its local cultural-existential determinations and regional permutations. He attends to the...
    Paperback
    $4999
    Available
    Ships in 3-4 weeks

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781912808311

Publisher: HAU Society Of Ethnographic Theory

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 23 February 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: HAU Books

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 11.0mm

Width: 125.0mm

Height: 207.0mm

Weight: 208g

Pages: 178

About the Author

Jadran Mimica is a senior lecturer in anthropology at the University of Sydney. He is the author of Intimations of Infinity: The Cultural Meanings of the Iqwaye Counting and Number Systems and of many contributions to psychoanalytic anthropology and Melanesian ethnography.

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