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On the journey home, the men sing the song of the paddle to protect them from the forest's spirits. As they approach the women of their tribe viciously attack the spirits with spears; sometimes the men can be seriously wounded by their weapons. The mangrove trunks are placed before the men's lodge, which is deemed the centre of social as well as religious activity. .
During dance, song and beating of drums, the men begin to carve the figures of their ancestors killed by the enemy. This marks the beginning of a ceremony that can last up to two or three months; these months are occupied by work, dance and feasts.
The Asmat also believe the sago palm to have a spirit, the same spirit as a human. The spirit of sago, therefore, is also the spirit of the "headhunter" and the tree must be harvested by attacking and butchering it. The palms (like the arms of the human) are used in the construction of houses and the core (inner flesh) provides more than 90% of the Asmat diet.
Even as young boys, the Asmat learn to drive evil spirits away from the village, a practice that will be put to use later in their headhunting years. .
The tribe places much emphasis on carving poles and figures. While this work is being carried out, formal dress, song and dance play a key role in an attempt to allow spirits to infiltrate the village. .
When the woodcarving is nearly achieved, the men prepare themselves for the final ceremony, the war with the spirits. There is pressure for the men to drive the spirits from the village during their final dance. When the morning of the great dance arrives, the poles are transferred with their convoy of spirits to near the river. This is where the ancestors begin their journey to safan (the land of the dead), across the sea and above the heavens. The men begin their "dance of exorcism" whilst the poles are raised as a final tribute. .
Symbols/Objects.
Bis ritual- the Asmat have to deal with the dead, they use this ritual as a way of freeing the loitering spirits from the village.
