From Cannibalism to Smoke Mummification: The Cultural Journey of the Anga People😰😰

In the secluded Aseki District of Papua New Guinea, the Anga people have preserved a remarkable and peculiar cultural tradition for centuries. The practice of smoking their ancestors’ corpses, though considered grotesque by outsiders, has captivated the imaginations of anthropologists, writers, and filmmakers for over a century. In this article, we embark on a journey to unravel the mysteries surrounding the enigmatic smoke mummification ritual of the Anga people, shedding light on its origins, cultural significance, and the challenges faced in understanding this ancient practice.

The origins of smoke mummification among the Anga people trace back to a time when cannibalism was prevalent in the region. To delve into the roots of this unique tradition, a journey to the Aseki District in Papua New Guinea is undertaken. With its remote and challenging terrain, the district remains a testament to the Anga people’s isolation from the modern world.

The practice of smoking the corpses of their ancestors began during World War I, following a series of events involving the arrival of missionaries and retaliatory killings. The mummies discovered in the Angapenga village, smeared with red clay and in various stages of decomposition, provide a haunting glimpse into this ancient ritual.