Entry 5

What concepts in the Sawi culture intrigued / reviled / saddened / angered / surprised you?
What reflections and connections can you make with this novel?

After reading The Peace Child, I learned that changes constantly occur and societies never stop evolving, even in the deepest location where people don’t even notice. Christianity was an unexpected factor in the realm of the Sawis where “fattening friendships” was occasionally practiced and ornaments represented their ranks. These natives in New Guinea considered head-hunting and treachery to be well acknowledged, resulting constant fear in their lives. I wasn’t able to stop thinking about this particular question while I was reading the book, “Wouldn’t they be scared of the fact that they themselves could be eaten or could be betrayed?” I’m sure at least one person from the Sawis has thought of this question; however, suppressing this idea from the culture seemed to be impossible. The preparation that was portrayed right before the stabbing seemed so calculated and well planned to the extent where it gave me a chill. The men were so deft in hiding their weapons and giving eye gestures, while the women and children were excited to see such demonstration.

I thought the idea of treachery existed from the beginning of this tribe, but it wasn’t. After having a discussion with my fellow classmates and Mrs. McAllister, I’ve discovered that the famine in the past has created this tradition for survival. It was exactly the same how Koreans began to eat dogs, when they didn’t have anything to eat under continuous foreign invasions and wars. It was a turning point of the cultures that had led everyone to fear and had brought the idea of the Peace Child, gefam ason, or waness. Then, another change was introduced to the Sawis: love and the outside world. The Sawis embraced Christianity and the new version of Peace Child, when Don Richardson came into the picture. The people accepted Christ as their everlasting Peace Child and exhibited significant changes among the tribes. The Richardsons brought different tools for the natives to use and medications to alleviate diseases that troubled many lives in the area. New buildings settled as strong shelters to the Sawis, physically and spiritually. Moreover, they developed strong faith that God would be their eternal shelter and protector.