Thursday, March 9, 2023

The Smoked Mummies of Papua New Guinea have practiced a unique mummification technique :

The Smoked Mummies of Papua New Guinea have practiced a unique mummification technique

The Smoked Mummies of Papua New Guinea have practiced a unique mummification technique – smoke curing. Once smoked, the mummies aren’t buried in tombs or graves; instead, they are placed on steep cliffs.

Yes, the smoked mummies of Papua New Guinea, also known as the Anga people or the Anga Death Cult, have practiced a unique form of mummification using smoke curing for centuries. This process involves preserving the bodies of the deceased by smoking them over a fire for several weeks, which dries and hardens the skin and preserves the organs.

After the smoke curing process is complete, the mummies are often placed in caves or on steep cliffs overlooking the valleys and rivers of the region. The Anga people believed that placing the mummies in these high and remote locations would ensure that the spirits of the deceased could watch over and protect their living relatives and descendants.

The practice of smoke curing mummies is considered a sacred and deeply spiritual tradition among the Anga people, and it continues to this day, although it is now rare due to the influence of Christianity and other external factors. The mummies are also a source of fascination for archaeologists and historians, who study them to learn more about the culture and beliefs of the Anga people.

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