Arapeshas - people free from desire

Among this people, kindness and gentleness are most valued - it is not courage, strength, bravery or feisty that inspire respect. The natives basically do not know war and are not in the habit of any aggressive actions. In New Guinea, near the Sepik River, in the mountains and on the plain, the division of duties in the family and the local community is even, always adapted to the physical predisposition - both men and women take satisfaction in the parental function, take care of the house and garden, and above all put good and affectionate relations among themselves.

The name plenienia in the local language simply means "friends" or "people." The Arapesh - as they are referred to - see the world as inherently good and trustworthy, and willingly submit to the needs of the younger and weaker, and derive genuine joy and life satisfaction from doing so. The element of struggle and competition is alien to them, the most important thing is togetherness, supporting each other and using their natural predispositions to bring help to others.

These people, with an almost angelic disposition, lead a quiet life here filled primarily with fishing, weaving mats or screens of leaves to protect themselves from the sand. They trade with each other using the local currency - shell rings, which are the traditional circulating coin in the region.

The gentle and peaceful disposition, which is seen as an ideal among this ethnic group, is unlikely to be innate at all - it is intensively shaped from the day each Arapesh is born. Customs related to the upbringing of a child and its transition to maturity, marriage or marriage are subordinated to the most important values - so girls are issued to the home of their future husband as early as between the ages of 6 and 10, however, in order for them to become close to their husband's family, so that the future spouses get to know each other as well as possible and become friends. Their relationship will be a bit more like love in siblings - it is supposed to be based on trust, mutual cooperation and care. Marriage is only contracted after reaching sexual maturity and undergoing initiation.

Arapeshe marital relationships, however, are almost entirely devoid of lust, which is seen as an exclusionary evil that destroys mutual respect - conjugal life here is one of obligation and is not excessively linked to feelings of any pleasure or sexual fulfillment. Nonetheless, Arapeshe do not seek more intense erotic experiences with their lover or mistress - extramarital relations are extremely rare. How is this possible? The key here, of course, is a specific upbringing that seeks to suppress all impulsive feelings and emotions, but also a very strong fear of... black magic.

Any display of vehemence, impulsive emotional states, any aggression or fiery expressions of emotion are seen as evil and a danger that will eventually turn against us. There is a widespread belief that sorcerers in the plains areas, when they find themselves in possession of, for example, a scrap of exfoliated skin, an overblown fruit, a piece of bark clothing or (ideally!) even a bit of their victim's body secretions, can make them sick or die. Arapeshe are full of fear of retribution from the seduced woman (if they do not intend/cannot enter into marriage with her), who may go to the sorcerer and hand over the "piece" she acquired during intercourse, thus destroying the delinquent. More often than not, provocative behavior or seduction is seen as an underhanded attempt to acquire the so-called "dirt," i.e., the aforementioned bodily secretions for the purposes of just black magic. The fear of it is so strong that a lustful look and sexual ruler is something almost unheard of here.

Taking proper precautions ensures a decent, safe life, high yields and successful hunting. Awakened lust is not combined with affection - only lasting and friendly marriage and cordial family relations have value and bring happiness to the Arapeshas.