Though I did not study about the entire Sawi population after the missions and therefore am not sure if the scope of change was wide and applied for most of the Sawi, I can say that Christianity changed the Sawi culture quite radically at least some parts, particularly for those who converted to Christianity, as the the Sawi Christians demonstrated behaviors that one, was different from what would have been expected in the past, and two, new types of activities (which constitute a new way of living and culture) that stem from their new faith.
One difference in behavior for the converts include the giving up of vengeance, and likely forgiveness. In chapter 24 of Peace Child, one person (Amio) seemingly gives up his vengeful feelings toward a Kayagar who killed his baby brother when he was given as a peace child, which, in Kayagar customs, are eaten to “seal the peace” (Richardson 184, 227-228).
More changes occurred: “Men who once abused and even tortured their wives as subhuman chattels and slaves now openly acknowledged their rights as cherishable companions and helpmeets... Women who once indulged in moodiness, screaming tirades and highly abusive speech now manifested a compelling newness and warmth of personality. Children were no longer being primed for war. Strangers and even former enemies could now accept invitations to feasts without fear of tuwi asonai man [which could be referred to as the fattening with friendship for the slaughter, an idealized form of treachery]” (Richardson 231). It seems that once people started to become Christians, there has been a change that may be quite reasonably traced back to the change in faith.
Work Cited
Richardson, Don. Peace Child: An Unforgettable Story of Primitive Jungle Treachery in the 20th Century. 4th. Regal, 2005. 184, 227-228, 231. Print.
I think you did a great job in answering this question because you added quotes from the actual book Peace Child. This passage is a proof that these Sawi people actually changed and shows how they changed. The passage that you chose accurately depicts how big the transformation was.
답글삭제Another change that occured was that the Sawi stopped practicing gefam ason, or touching the stench because they began believing that Christ would bring them redemption.
Isn't really amazing how faith can transform a person so radically?
Good job with your blog post. The passage effectively potrays the change Jesus brought in the Sawi culture.