Day: December 4, 2023

The Niowra tribe in Papua New Guinea believes that crocodiles created the Earth and its people. When teenage boys become men, they undergo a ‘crocodile ceremony’, where they are taken to a hut filled with crocodile teeth and skulls. They are told to think of their crocodile ‘fathers and mothers’ to become strong and brave. They are then beaten for six weeks, and bamboo is used to make cuts on their chests and backs. The Niowra believe this ceremony makes the boys stronger and braver, allowing them to survive in the dangerous forest. After the ceremony, singing and dancing ensue, and the crocodile men are given adult responsibilities in the village.