We are in New Guinea Island. In this village called Timbumeri the local people are ready
to build the "Crocodile's nest." Close to the tambaran, the men work since
sunrise. Today they celebrate a strange ritual, the initiation of the Crocodile Men.
They must remove the mud so that the water drums get enough depth.
They surround the premises with leaves from palm and banana trees. With the leaves they
make a series of wrappings resembling the heads of the reptile. They also cut the palm
branches in the shape of the tail of the crocodile and decorate them with leaves and flowers.
The nest is already built. It is packed very tight.
Music begins playing inside the tambaran.
Inside the nest we see seven men and two water drums representing the masculine and the feminine sides.
In the Timbumeri village, the drums begin to sound. Since neither women nor uninitiated
people can see what goes on inside, I get set in an inconspicuous place.
Outside the warriors dance to the rhythm of the splashing sounds that come from the inside of the nest.
This man that is going to be initiated has been outside for a long time.
I don't blame him.
The candidate is taken to the Tambaran. Honestly I wouldn't like to be in his shoes.
He waits laying on a board for the blade's contact. Fortunately he is drugged with some
herbs that alleviate the ordeal...
His skin starts looking like the skin of a reptile with the cuts they make on his back, breast and nipples.
Outside, the warriors continue minding their business.
The cuts are covered with mud and antiseptic oil. When they heal, the wounds look like scales.
He has become a crocodile man...
Tradition has been kept. I leave terrified...