1974: Granada Television
Papua New Guinea
The Kawelka: Ongka’s People, a tribe of about 1000 people
Ongka: A big man of the Kawelka people
Moka: A huge gift made up of pigs, money, and other items. Technically, the moka is the extra, the “interest” that you pay back. The moka sequence that Ongka is now involved in began with pigs given as payment for intertribal violence and death. 10 years ago, Ongka received 400 pigs from the neighboring people, now he hopes to give them 600 or more.
Perowa: the big man of the tribe who will receive the Moka
Ongka cannot order people, he can only persuade.
Ongka has four wives and nine children.
Rumbakol: Ongka’s favorite wife.
Rhimah: Ongka’s rival.
Video Response Questions
TYPE IN YOUR RESPONSES AND SAVE THE DOCUMENT WITH YOUR LAST NAME IN THE TITLE
(FOR EXAMPLE: SMITH ONGKA.DOC)
1. What do pigs mean to the Kawelka?
Pigs can built status, prestige and fame for their tribe as a part of moka.
2. How and why are the clothes Ongka wears from day to day different from what he wears for important occasions?
There are a lot of traditional decoration for important occasions and He needs to dress up well for ceremony in order to represent his highest status.
3. There are two kinds of music in this documentary, the first is used at the celebration that concludes each small moka ceremony, and the second is at the funeral for the neighboring big man. Compare and contrast these two different types of music. Also compare and contrast the way people dress for each of these occasions.
The music used in celebration, its pitch is high and the rhythm is fast which makes people feel excited and happy. The music used in funeral, its pitch is low and the rhythm is very slow. People in ceremony wear traditional and colorful decoration. But in funeral, they only wear grass skirt.
4. What do you notice about the different roles of men and women in Ongka’s world?
Women are taking