The penis gourd (also named koteka, horim and armor condom) is a penis sheath that is traditionally worn by native male inhabitants of highland tribal groups in New Guinea to cover their penis. They are made from a dried out gourd, although pitcher-plant is also sometimes used. The penis gourd is held in place using a small loop of fiber attached to the base of the penis gourd and placed around the scrotum. A 2nd loop tied around the chest or abdomen is attached to the main body of the penis gourd.
Men choose penis gourds similar to ones worn by the other men in their cultural group. For example, Yali men favour a long, thin penis gourd, which helps hold up the multiple rattan hoops worn around their waist. Men from Tiom wear a double gourd, held up with a strip of cloth, and use the space between the two gourds for carrying small items like tobacco and money.
Many tribes are identified by the way they wear their penis gourds. Some wear them pointed straight out, straight up, at an angle, or in other directions. The diameter of the penis gourd can also be a clue. There is no correlation between the size or length of the penis gourd and the social status of the wearer. Penis gourds of different sizes serve different purposes: very short penis gourds are worn when working and longer and more elaborate penis gourd are worn on festive occasions. The penis gourd is made of a specially grown gourd. Stone weights are tied to the bottom of the gourd to stretch it out as it grows. Curves can be made in it by the use of string to restrain its growth in whatever direction the grower wishes. They can be quite elaborately shaped in this manner. When harvested, the gourd is emptied and dried. It is sometimes waxed with beeswax or native resins. It can be painted, or have shells, feathers and other decorations attached to it.
The tribal name for “penis gourd” is Koteka. The term koteka is used as a name of tribal groups across the highlands of New Guinea, in both West Papua and Papua New Guinea. For example, in West Papua today, there is an Assembly of Koteka Tribes. The term koteka was never used to identify a society or ethnic group before, but it is now commonly known for a tribal group within Melanesia across the highlands of New Guinea.
It is commonly assumed that there is a sexual display element to wearing the penis gourd; however, according to the locals, penis gourds are worn only to cover themselves.
1971 the Indonesian New Order government in Papua launched “Operation Penis Gourd" which tried to encourage the people to wear shorts because such clothes were considered more "modern". But the people did not have changes of clothing, did not have soap, and were unfamiliar with the care of such clothes so the unwashed clothing caused skin diseases. There were also reports of men wearing the shorts as hats and the women using the dresses as carrying bags. The campaign was abandoned.
This was from my Amazing trip to Papua New Guinea. Tribal dancers are dancing at Sing-Sing at the Goroka show in Papua New Guinea. The Goroka Show is a well-known tribal gathering and cultural event in Papua New Guinea. It is called a sing-sing. A sing-sing is a bit like the Native American Pow-wow. This sing-sing is held every year close to the country's Independence Day (16 September). It takes place in the town of Goroka. About 100 tribes arrive to the Goroka show. There is traditional dance, music and culture.
Phallocrypts are decorative penis sheaths that are worn in parts of New Guinea during traditional ceremonies. They are usually made out of gourds or woven fibers and decorated with feathers, beads, cowry shells, and small metal ornaments. The most elaborate phallocrypts are sold to tourists as souvenirs and are not usually representative of ones actually used in ceremonies.
A phallocrypt can also be a simple ornament hung from male genitalia as part of a cultural expression, for ceremonial use or pure decoration. Among a number of ancient and modern people throughout the Oceanic world, Africa and many parts of the Americas it was (and still is in some places) a common form of ornamentation. Some Aboriginal peoples of Australia wore an ornate carved pearl shell type called a Lonka Lonka. It is hung from the genitals by a twisted thong made of human hair. They are often ornately engraved with mainly geometric patterns and the grooves were colored with reddish ochre. Some South American cultures actually hung heavy, carved jade and other hardstone ornaments from piercings through the skin of their penis and scrotum. These were usually of a temporary ritualistic nature.
#Papua New Guinea
#Tribal
#Native
#PacificIsland
#Goroka
#Goroka Show
#Sing-Sing
#Pow-Wow
#लिंग
#जनजाति
#قبيلة
