Feasting and ritual exchange among the Asmat of Southwest New Guinea, c. 1900–1970

1. Asmat sago-swamp villages support gift-based exchange

   Jan 1, 1900Labels: Asmat communities, Sago palm, Gift exchange

   • Britannica

2. Men’s houses anchor ritual labor and hosting

   Jan 1, 1905Labels: Men's house, Ceremonial labor, Carving workshops

   • Met Museum
   • Annenberg

3. Deaths trigger obligations expressed through feasts

   Jan 1, 1915Labels: Mortuary feasts, Death obligations, Asmat kinship

   • Met Museum
   • Annenberg

4. Bis ceremonies link commemoration, giving, and revenge

   Jan 1, 1930Labels: Bis ceremonies, Communal feasts, Commemoration rites

   • Met Museum
   • Annenberg

5. Carving bis poles becomes a central ritual contribution

   Jan 1, 1940Labels: Bis poles, Mangrove carving, Ceremonial labor

   • Met Museum
   • Britannica

6. Bis feasts culminate in disposal at sago groves

   Jan 1, 1950Labels: Pole disposal, Sago groves, Ritual cycle

   • Met Museum
   • Annenberg

7. Outside contact increases, putting feasting practices under pressure

   Jan 1, 1955Labels: Missionaries, Administrators, Cultural contact

   • St Thomas

8. Michael Rockefeller disappears during Asmat collecting expedition

   Nov 19, 1961Labels: Michael Rockefeller, Asmat collecting, 1961 disappearance

   • Wikipedia

9. UNTEA administers West New Guinea during transfer

   Oct 1, 1962Labels: UNTEA, West New, Transitional administration

   • UNTEA

10. Administration transfers to Indonesia, altering local oversight

    May 1, 1963Labels: Indonesia, West Irian, State oversight

    • UNTEA
    • Dutch NG

11. Asmat Museum planned to preserve art and reshape exchange

    Jan 1, 1969Labels: Asmat Museum, Agats, Cultural preservation

    • Museum Site
    • CulturalSurvival

12. Act of Free Choice formalizes Indonesian control

    Jul 14, 1969Labels: Act of, 1969 transfer, Indonesian control

    • Act Choice
    • Dutch NG

13. Asmat Museum of Culture and Progress opens in Agats

    Aug 17, 1973Labels: Asmat Museum, Agats opening, Museum exhibition

    • CulturalSurvival
    • Museum Site