British Universities Film & Video Council

moving image and sound, knowledge and access

Bridewealth for a Goddess

Synopsis
Documents the last performance of the ritual for the fertility goddess Amb Kor. Shot over a period of 15 years, the anthropologists/filmmakers have been participant-observers durng a time of pivotal change for the clans of the Kawelka people in the western highlands of Papua, New Guinea. The film is narrated by the headman, Ru, who speaks about the clan’s recent problems, infant mortality, and decision to return to previously abandoned tribal territories. The arrival of the ancient female spirit Amb Kor comes to him in a dream and he is convinced that in order to regain their former strength and health the clans must perform this ritual for the goddess. After much debate, anyone who has been baptized in the Christian church is forbidden to take part in the ritual. Meat distribution, clan alliances and the symbolic brideweath for the goddess are observed.
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Medium
Video; Videocassette. VHS. col. 72 min.
Year of production
2000
Availability
Sale; 2001 sale: £50.00 (+VAT +p&p)
Subjects
Anthropology; Religious studies
Keywords
Papua New Guinea; religious rituals

Credits

Director
Chris Owen
Contributor
Andrew Strathern

Distributor

Name

Royal Anthropological Institute

Contact
Susanne Hammacher (Film Officer)
Email
film@therai.org.uk
Web
https://www.therai.org.uk/film/film-sales External site opens in new window
Phone
020 7387 0455
Fax
020 7388 8817
Address
50 Fitzroy Street
London
W1T 5BT
Notes
The Institute sells more than 250 anthropology and ethnology titles on video and DVD, including some produced by students and staff of the Granada Centre for Visual Anthropology. There is also a large library of internationally produced film and video productions from which items may be borrowed within the UK.

Record Stats

This record has been viewed 886 times.