In Western
cultures killings and especially revenge killings are frowned upon and are
punishable by lifetime terms of imprisonment. The laws in western societies are
very clear in regards to killing being unacceptable. Religion seems to have
been a major factor in this culture. The Yanomamo have no such written laws and
differ from western cultures in the fact that a killer or Unokais is not
punished by their society. The consequences however can be more severe because
of the retaliation of the murder victim’s tribe/kin.
Revenge killings
are carried out by a group of men that participate in a raid. These raids are
carried out in retaliation from a previous killing. Not all men that initially
set out on the trip which can be a journey of days participate. Some fall ill or "step on a
thorn" during the journey and turn back to return to the tribe. Repeat incidences
of not participating can earn a Yanomamo the title of tehe or a coward. The
night prior to the raid an effigy of the targeted person is made. However, the
first man they encounter is generally the person killed. Revenge killings
usually occur at dawn and typically one or two killings occur as a result of an
ambush.
The Unokais benefit
from their title by thwarting attacks and abductions or seduction of their
tribes women by neighboring tribes. The non-Unokais benefit mainly by not being
specifically targeted in revenge killings. Becoming known as a Unokais may
increase their reproductive and marital success and is also encouraged among
boys.
The Yanomamo have
tribes which are led by what is known as a headman. These headmen have multiple
wives and tribes are interrelated to each other over several generations. This
interrelation creates a web of revenge killings. It’s as if you attack one
member of the tribe and the whole “family” will seek revenge.
Socially the Unokais are looked at as valiant warriors
willing to avenge their kin. Women of Yanomamo find this attractive in a mate.
Non-Unokais are often ridiculed and as well as insulted. The wives of non-Unokais
are also subject to increased sexual attention from other males due to the lack
of fear of retaliation.
Laws provide guidelines
for a society, setting boundaries and consequences for actions. As mentioned in
the reading material the Yanomamo perform revenge killings for a number of
reasons and are consistently living in fear.
I agree with your opinion why there should be laws , without laws revenge will never stop and more losses will become on the way.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post. I thought it was interesting that you included the part about some of the men doing things in order to get out of having to go on the raid. That was my favorite part while reading the article.
ReplyDeleteI found your initial paragraph interesting as you say the unokais isn't punished for the killing. But if they are in turn killed by the kin of his victim, or if one of his own kinsmen are killed, isn't that a form of punishment? Think of our own death penalty. A person who is killed can be put to death by our justice system. Is it really so different?
ReplyDeleteGood discussion on benefits and impact on other aspects of society.
Your final discussion doesn't really address the question. Why do we need laws against a behavior people shouldn't want to do? Is the question valid?
Your closing paragraph, although short, i had the same train of thought .... That laws are away of setting boundaries for people but can t it be argued that we too live in fear. Fear of breaking a law and being punished. I did like the correlation between the religious influences and the creation of laws against killing. Good post
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