Papua New Guinea, Gera Chief Castrating Goat, 1983
Papua New Guinea, Gera Chief Castrating Goat, 1983

Papua New Guinea, Gera Chief Castrating Goat, 1983 - Gera's chief castrated this goat. Although this photograph is grotesque, I felt it was important. The villagers clearly enjoyed the proceeding. At first I thought they were cruel and primitive for expressing joy while the poor animal screamed. Then I reflected that in my own modern society, many animals are slaughtered for food, but I am insulated from it. It takes place on ranches and in meat factories, far from the sensibilities of everyday people. In Melanesian society, the realities of survival were dealt with directly. It really was not more primitive, just more direct, hence more realistic. This was revelatory for me.

Return to Travel Photos

More photos from Papua New Guinea

  • Papua New Guinea, Bamboo And Pandanus, 1983 - The …
  • Papua New Guinea, Huli Feathers 2, 1983 - The Huli…
  • Papua New Guinea, Jeff Shea With Huli Big Man, 198…
  • Papua New Guinea, Leech On Leg, 1983 - This photog…
  • Papua New Guinea, Map of Trek, 1983 - The loop at …
  • Papua New Guinea, Tree Kangaroo, 1983 - Among the …
  • Papua New Guinea, Hut, 1983 - The roof of this low…
  • Papua New Guinea, Pik, 1983 - The pig is a very va…
  • Map of Northeast Portion of New Guinea My 39-day …