Crocodiles are sacred to this tribe hence the tradition. They believe that men evolved from crocodiles so they hold this ritual to honour their ancestors- the crocodile. They believe that theses crocodiles turned into men and dwelled on the Sepik rivers.
During this time, the boys are held down without any pain relief given to them. This ritual is dangerous because no form of medicine is given to alleviate the pain or ensure there are no infections from the scars made on the body.
Once they finish making the cuts, the boys lie close to a fire, smoke blows into the scars and then clay and tree oil are applied to the scars to make the skin raised and appear scale-like when it heals.
Once they successfully go through this ceremony it means that the spirit now dwells in them from then on.
The Guardian
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