Normally people mourn by crying, not talking to anyone or remain in shock. But, we are going to tell you a weird mourning practice where women cut off a part of their fingers when a member of the family dies.
Dani tribe located in remote area of Papua, New Guinea follow this finger cutting tradition. According to them it is a typical mourning practice.
The practice has been going on for generations and it still hasn’t gone out of style even after it was declared illegal. Finger cutting is part of their culture, so they say live and let live, or cut and let cut, as the case may be.
The reason is to keep restless spirits at bay, the Dani offer their amputated finger chunks as a form of sacrifice.
After a finger is cut off, it is set on fire then the ashes are saved Sometimes the ashes are buried, but they are usually stored in the amputee’s home.
They believe physical pain is an important part of expressing emotional pain of grief. Although their wound will eventually heal, they will always bear the consequences of their loss.
PNN/Agencies
