Pigs in rites, rights in pigs: porcine values in the Papua New Guinea Highlands

This paper discusses the place of pigs in mountains Papua New Guinea, particularly Was valley Southern Highlands Province. After a brief introduction to region and their herding arrangements, it gives an ethnographic account use various rites, notably those that feature curing, sorcery cult activities. They prompt consideration relevance concepts used understand these ritual activities, whether they are offerings or sacrifices something else particular rites. The cults also include large pig kill festivals have notable socio-political implications. These relate rights ownership, which complex issues impinge on all foregoing