Ritual Finger Amputation-Dani people of Papua, New Guinea, When the eldest male of the house dies any women and children related to the deceased had to cut off fingers. They would tie them together and then cut them off with an axe. They cut off their fingers because they believed it would please and chase away the spirits. Also it provided physical pain as a way to mourn, It was banned in New Guinea, however you can still see older tribe members without their fingers. All women and children related to a dead man among the Dani people of Papua New Guinea had to cut their own fingers to identify with the pain and sorrow of death. This gruesome ritual was also believed to drive away evil spirits.
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