Huli+Religion


 * __RELIGIOUS BELIEFS__**

The Huli as a traditional people are animists. Animists believe that everything has a soul; this includes rocks, water, mountains, plants, etc. Because of this belief, the Huli people offer many sacrifices in order to appease the spirits. They believe all illness and bad luck comes from witchcraft and sorcery. However, because of the influence of western religion, 66 percent of the Huli people now list their religion as Christianity. Even so, many of the Christian practitioners are very much aware of the spiritual world and still could be considered animists.

The Huli religion consists of a variety of beliefs in beings of a higher power which have supernatural powers unattainable by human beings. Some of these supreme powers include the Dama, Dinini, and Tomia.


 * Dama**-- according to Huli legends, these super-natural beings live among them in the sky, rivers, water holes, caves, and bushes that surround the Huli territory. The Dama dictate and control the climate in Papua New Guinea as well as the quality of the land. The dama are responsible for the fertility of both the soil as well as livestock (pigs). If mistreated, the dama can inflect a variety of illnesses to the Huli. They are capable of making humans sick or even die. Huli believe that the dama are present and play a role in all human interactions.


 * Dinini**-- the dinini are beings that too are super-natural beings, far superior to humans, but less powerful than the all-powerful Dama. Huli believe the dinini to be ghosts of the dead, which come back to play a role on all human affairs. Male dinini are said to be protectors over their descendants, keeping them safe and prosperous. Female dinini are believed to be spiteful and angry at all humans with exception given to their own children.


 * Tomia**-- tomia is not a life force in itself, but is believed to exist in a variety of objects such as stones or trees. Tomia is capable of causing sickness or death to humans if manipulated properly by humans.

Very interesting video of Huli men discussing religion. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peFhx46JzkY