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The Papua New Guinea jungle has given up one of its darkest secrets - the systematic slaughter of every male baby born in two villages to prevent future tribal clashes.

By virtually wiping out the 'male stock', tribal women hope they can avoid deadly bow-and-arrow wars between the villages in the future.

'Babies grow into men and men turn into warriors,' said Rona Luke, a village wife who is attending a special 'peace and reconciliation' meeting in the mountain village of Goroka.

The Papua New Guinea Eastern Highlands where it has been claimed women in two villages killed all their male children for a decade to prevent tribal warfare

'It's because of the terrible fights that have brought death and destruction to our villages for the past 20 years that all the womenfolk have agreed to have all new-born male babies killed,' said Mrs Luke.

'The women have had enough of men engaging in tribal conflicts and bringing misery to them.'

The sensational claims recall the Biblical story of the Old Testament pharaoh who ordered all midwives to kill Israelite baby boys because he wanted to ensure there were never enough young men to fight in an army against the Egyptians.

Mrs Luke said that the village women agreed that if they stopped producing males, allowing only female babies to survive, their tribe's stock of boys would go down and there would be no men in future to fight.

A resident of Agibu village, Mrs Luke said she did not know how many male babies were killed by being smothered, but it had happened to all males over a 10 year period - and she suggested it was still happening. Choking back tears she added: 'It's a terrible, unbearable crime, but the women had to do it.

'The women have really being forced into it as it's the only means available to them as women to bring an end to tribal fights.'

Confirming the shocking infanticide claims, Mrs Kipiyona Belas from the rival Amosa village, told a newspaper that getting food for their families was difficult because husbands were fighting other tribes with bows-and- arrows and spears.

Often the men did not come back, having been killed on the 'battle field', usually a clearing in the jungle.

Now, with the help of the Salvation Army and the initiative of local Pastor Michael Hemuno, the tribal women hope the slaughter of babies can end and those men who are still warriors will lay down their weapons and talk peace.

'We are trying to get them to live peacefully and end all the deaths of young and old,' said Pastor Hemuno.

Tribal fighting in the region of Gimi, in the country's Eastern Highlands, has been going on since 1986, many of the clashes arising over claims of sorcery.

Papua New Guinea tribes, who dress up in warrior paint and feathered finery for special occasions, are strong believers in sorcery and often blame their enemies for bringing about deaths through witchcraft.





By Richard Shears.

Mail Online.

They have rather a better excuse than bright young couples who tailor their family structure by sex-testing. I'm impressed by their determination and logic.

spot;1078571 wrote: They have rather a better excuse than bright young couples who tailor their family structure by sex-testing. I'm impressed by their determination and logic.


I hate to say this Mr Scrooge ... but you have a point ... first good one I have read in a while!

Ryan.

Determination---yes. Logic----no.

Past history and current events show that women can be aggressive warriors if put in that postion.

So, what's to keep the tribes from dying out?

along-for-the-ride;1078597 wrote: Determination---yes. Logic----no.

Past history and current events show that women can be aggressive warriors if put in that postion.


They're applying logic to themselves, I'm not suggesting we apply the same rule to all people at all times. They know their own society.

How is 'killing' all male babies helping to stop killing ?

Bruv;1078656 wrote: How is 'killing' all male babies helping to stop killing ?


Ifg you read the article it tells you that the males keep fighting with other tribes. This in turn is causing famine within their tribes and other problems.

I don't know how large the tribes are but there may be a possibility that they are losing their intelligence through inbreeding.

OpenMind;1078780 wrote: Ifg you read the article it tells you that the males keep fighting with other tribes. This in turn is causing famine within their tribes and other problems.

I don't know how large the tribes are but there may be a possibility that they are losing their intelligence through inbreeding.


exactly ... the obvious down side is that over a generation or two they will likely become extinct!

Ryan.

Touchstone;1078803 wrote: exactly ... the obvious down side is that over a generation or two they will likely become extinct!



Ryan.


I didn't think that needed stating. I'm sure the women realise this.

OpenMind;1078820 wrote: I didn't think that needed stating. I'm sure the women realise this.


Considering this:

"Papua New Guinea tribes, who dress up in warrior paint and feathered finery for special occasions, are strong believers in sorcery and often blame their enemies for bringing about deaths through witchcraft."

Perhaps not ... wouldn't you agree?

Ryan.

Touchstone;1078926 wrote: Considering this:



"Papua New Guinea tribes, who dress up in warrior paint and feathered finery for special occasions, are strong believers in sorcery and often blame their enemies for bringing about deaths through witchcraft."



Perhaps not ... wouldn't you agree?



Ryan.


You'll be suggesting to me next that these women don't know how children are conceived.:wah: Perhaps they are magicked into existence.

A large part of me does not believe this. If a tribe is down on male numbers, women will take to being the warrior to protect their children from other tribes just as good as the men.

If it is true, then it is nothing more than a primitive form of gender or embryonic selection. In the Western world, certainly, this is happening more and more along with gene regulation in embyo's as well.

China as an example and India has had centurie's of breeding male hier's. In India it is to inherit the land and China it is down to the 2 child rule and needing a male heir to bring in an income for when the parents are too old.

oscar;1079149 wrote: A large part of me does not believe this. If a tribe is down on male numbers, women will take to being the warrior to protect their children from other tribes just as good as the men.



If it is true, then it is nothing more than a primitive form of gender or embryonic selection. In the Western world, certainly, this is happening more and more along with gene regulation in embyo's as well.

China as an example and India has had centurie's of breeding male hier's. In India it is to inherit the land and China it is down to the 2 child rule and needing a male heir to bring in an income for when the parents are too old.


I think the women are trying to tell their men to stop fighting or become extinct.

openmind;1079154 wrote: i think the women are trying to tell their men to stop fighting or become extinct.


good point

The solution being as bad as the problem ?

Bruv;1079167 wrote: The solution being as bad as the problem ?


Us British are up very late tonight arn't we??

Yes, if it's true, the solution is not good. If they wipe out all the men, who'e going to drive and do the hoovering?? :yh_rotfl

oscar;1079170 wrote: Us British are up very late tonight arn't we??

Yes, if it's true, the solution is not good. If they wipe out all the men, who'e going to drive and do the hoovering?? :yh_rotfl


British ? Bloody British ?

Me............. Im English....and its not that late.....for a night owl.

The solution, on thinking about it, is as good as the decision to share the disputed child between two mothers, each having a half to call their own.

Bruv;1079181 wrote: British ? Bloody British ?

Me............. Im English....and its not that late.....for a night owl.

The solution, on thinking about it, is as good as the decision to share the disputed child between two mothers, each having a half to call their own.


No, we're British not English :p:p

Another night owl eh???

I don't think there is a woman alive who would be happy to share a child. I could be wrong but i don't think i could.

No trust me.......... I am English I am also British also a European, a son and a father and a grandfather a huband, some but not all are exclusive.

It was , I believe the judgement of Solomon, when asked to decide the correct mother, of course the real mother choose to give her child away rather than have it torn in two...........so she got possession, as a true mother would rather her child live with another than end its life.

Bruv;1079193 wrote: No trust me.......... I am English I am also British also a European, a son and a father and a grandfather a huband, some but not all are exclusive.

It was , I believe the judgement of Solomon, when asked to decide the correct mother, of course the real mother choose to give her child away rather than have it torn in two...........so she got possession, as a true mother would rather her child live with another than end its life.


Oh, i see... I'm British though :wah: It's going to confuse the heck out of our American friends.

Now you put that slant on it, then yes, rather than having your child torn in two, it would be better to give the child away.