Melpa people
E1024299
The Melpa people are an indigenous group from the Western Highlands of Papua New Guinea known for their complex social systems, traditional pig-based economy, and rich ceremonial culture.
Statements (53)
| Predicate | Object |
|---|---|
| instanceOf |
ethnic group
ⓘ
indigenous people ⓘ |
| artForm |
body decoration
ⓘ
feather headdresses ⓘ shell ornamentation ⓘ wood carving ⓘ |
| ceremonialCulture | rich ceremonial culture ⓘ |
| ceremonialPractice |
compensation payments
ⓘ
initiation rituals ⓘ mortuary rituals ⓘ pig exchange ceremonies ⓘ |
| clothing |
loin coverings
ⓘ
traditional grass skirts ⓘ |
| continent | Oceania ⓘ |
| cosmology | relationship between humans, pigs, and land ⓘ |
| country | Papua New Guinea ⓘ |
| dance | ceremonial dances ⓘ |
| economyRoleOfPigs |
medium of exchange
ⓘ
status symbol ⓘ store of wealth ⓘ |
| famousFor |
anthropological studies
ⓘ
complex exchange systems ⓘ |
| kinshipSystem | patrilineal descent ⓘ |
| language | Melpa language NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| languageFamily | Trans–New Guinea languages NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| locatedIn |
New Guinea Highlands
NERFINISHED
ⓘ
Western Highlands Province NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| mainCrops |
bananas
ⓘ
sweet potato ⓘ taro ⓘ |
| marriageExchange | bridewealth payments in pigs ⓘ |
| marriageSystem | arranged marriages ⓘ |
| music |
bamboo flutes
ⓘ
drumming ⓘ singing ⓘ |
| notableAnthropologistStudying |
Andrew Strathern
GENERATED
ⓘ
Marilyn Strathern GENERATED ⓘ |
| ornament |
pig tusk ornaments
ⓘ
shell valuables ⓘ |
| populationRegion | Western Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| region | Mount Hagen area NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| religion |
Christianity
ⓘ
traditional Melpa beliefs ⓘ |
| residencePattern | patrilocal residence ⓘ |
| socialOrganization | clan-based organization ⓘ |
| socialStructure | complex social systems ⓘ |
| timeDepthOfOccupation | long-term occupation of Western Highlands ⓘ |
| traditionalBelief |
ancestor worship
ⓘ
spirit beings associated with land ⓘ |
| traditionalEconomy |
pig-based economy
ⓘ
subsistence agriculture ⓘ |
| valueSystem |
high value placed on pigs
ⓘ
prestige through exchange ⓘ |
Referenced by (1)
Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.