Sambia Tribe of

Papua New
Guinea

NURS 3600 - Lauren Kalanta

Why did I choose the Sambia?
 Fundamentals, Beliefs, &
Practices
Men and women, between age 6-marriage, live separate lives

Women are dangerous = death

Women are lower but feared and respected

Semen of a man possesses the masculine spirit - Jerengdu

Semen needs to consumed in order to become a mature man

During menstruation, men insert cane sticks into their nostrils

Herdt, G. (2006). The sambia: Ritual, sexuality, and change in papua new guinea. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Male Initiation
Killed as boys and reborn as men
Starts when boy is age 6-10, six stages until fatherhood

1st Stage - removed from mothers/mens cult (6-10)

7 days, 18 rituals
nostril penetration and fellatio
2nd Stage (10-14)
continuation with the first stage with feasts
3rd Stage -Adolescence (14-15)
Trade places
severely beaten, nose bled, whipped
4th Stage - Marriage (marrying age determined by parents)
will not live with arranged bride until after menstruation
5th Stage - time of his wifes menarche
bleeds his nose and bathes in mud when wife menstruates
6th Stage - Full rights of manhood
proves masculinity by having a child, preferably two
Herdt, G. (2006). The sambia: Ritual, sexuality, and change in papua new guinea. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
 Gender Roles -
Sexual Hierarchy
Tai - female child

Taiketnyi - female after first menstruation

Kuwatniu - young initiates (semen recipients),

lowest of all lowest male statuses

Aatmwuna - females with husbands and children

Aatmwonungenyu - sexually mature bachelors who are eligible for marriage

Nuposha - married men who choose to live in male clubhouse / participate away from their wives

Aatmwuna - highest of ranks, have wives and children, the more children / wives = more political power
Herdt, G. (1999). Sambia sexual culture: Essays from the field. Chicago, IL: Liberty of Congress Catalog-in Publication Data.
 Wellness, Illness, &
Views: Disabilities
Illness is seen as possession by forest spirits, ghosts, or heterosexual genital contact

Speaking the names of the dead or openly speaking about cult can cause bad luck

Penetrate too deeply = enters her urethra = makes him ill

Health Seeking Behavior:

Shamans are the main healers and first resorts to care

Protection and preventative care from womens genital odor

Herdt, G. (2006). The sambia: Ritual, sexuality, and change in papua new guinea. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
 Spirituality, Healers, &
Alternatives
Religion is similar to Pagan religion

Animistic - all forces and events have life

Mens society is very ritualistic

Men's ritual cult involve flute spirits (female)

Local healing and spells by Shamans are common

Each village has one Shaman (male or female) - males more common

Perform exorcism and sorcery - retrieve souls of the sick

Herdt, G. (2006). The sambia: Ritual, sexuality, and change in papua new guinea. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
 Domestic Violence & Domestic
Abuse
He begins to be hostile with his wife because he is upset that he has to

nose bleed each time she menstruates because she pollutes him and

endangers his life.

No introduction of

alcohol until 1970s

with Westernization

Herdt, G. (1999). Sambia sexual culture: Essays from the field. Chicago, IL: Liberty of Congress Catalog-in Publication Data.
 Die
t
Before Westernization:

Semen

Tubers

Food was gathered, grown, or hunted

Nuts, pigs, fish, local birds

After Westernization:

No animals that are hooved or pirch

Herdt, G. (2006). The sambia: Ritual, sexuality, and change in papua new guinea. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
 Views of Western Culture: Western Culture
1975 Lutheran and Seventh Day Adventists

Missionaries restricted healers, diet, and hunting

Schools and churches brought men out of the village

Development of cash crops & Westernization

Important for health care provider:

Woman cannot perform physical assessment on men

No sexual orientation
Herdt, G. (2006). The sambia: Ritual, sexuality, and change in papua new guinea. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
 Nursing Careplan &
1. Interventions
Infection R/T self harm 1. Low self-esteem R/T sexual and physical abuse

Assess patients willingness to learn Provide a nonthreatening environment

Educate patient about self harm Encourage verbalization of thoughts/feelings

Monitor for signs of infection Encourage therapy

Monitor VS

4. Imbalanced nutrition R/T low protein diet

2. Impaired gas exchange R/T damaging nasal
. Assess for signs and symptoms of malnutrition
passageways

Obtain dietary consult

Monitor respiratory rate, depth, and effort
Question?
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 References

Herdt, G. (2006). The sambia: Ritual, sexuality, and change in papua new guinea. Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth Cengage Learning.

Herdt, G. (1999). Sambia sexual culture: Essays from the field. Chicago, IL: Liberty of Congress
Catalog-in Publication Data.