The People

Hierarchy

Village life of the Asmat is under the hierarchy of chiefs (cescu-ipit), which are regarded as primus inter pares (first among equals). The cescu-ipit owe their influence and function to their own personality and the services they provid. They are equipped with pokman and have the ability to inspire.

War chiefs can be distinguished by the various management functions: the cescu-wow-ipit, (Wood-Artist), the cescu-so-ipit, (Singer), the cescu-em-ipit, (Drummer), the cescu-tareyatakam-ipit, (Myth-teller) and many others. A recognized artists, such as a cescu-wow-ipit, is an acknowledged master of sculpture (ancestor figures, mbis-poles, wuramon (soul-ships), crocodiles (binüt), drums, etc.). He is very different from wow-ipit, a simple carver. A cescu-wow-ipit is in possession of a pokman. He not only has special carving ability, but also the deep mythological, spiritual, and cultural knowledge of the village. A cescu-ipit is initiated into the mysteries of the rites. He is the knowledge provider and is fully empowered to implement his knowledge in the art of interpreting the culture of his knowledge and published with his artwork.

A young person cannot be a cescu-wo-ipit, or a so-cescu ipit. Since the secrets he combines requires much knowledge and skill and therefore should be a mature member of the Asmat culture. In general, it is said that the hair of a cescu-wow-ipit, “must have signs of gray color,”  in order to be a sculptor, versus that of a simple and young carver.