This afternoon we witnessed a traditional Papuan ceremony. Sadly, the girl who was killed was murdered in a very brutal manner. No murder is respectful but this one was about as disrespectful as one can get. An incredibly sad and fear inducing event. When someone commits an offence against a person of a different tribe, they are committing the offence against the entire tribe. There are apparently three suspects in custody with a fourth being hunted for. The girl's two companions are also in police custody more for their own safety along with the hopes that they can give some crucial information which would help lead to a conviction. Understandably the two friends are terrified to say anything as they fear they could be indicted as well.

The ceremony we witnessed today was unlike anything I have ever witnessed before. It seemed as though all the members of the tribes involved who live in Sentani congregated on our hill. (I estimate a couple hundred people) They came running up the hill whooping and some were waving sticks and machetes. They would break into groups and run back and forth; stop and wait for another group to run back and forth and proceed again. Then they joined as one and gave a loud whoop in unison. It seemed as though they took a break for lunch and then later in the afternoon repeated the mornings events. Then they all congregated in the field across the road where a few groups formed with the rest of the folks outside the fence observing. Each group would take a turn and run around the field whooping and waving whatever weapon they had including the occasional bow and arrow. We were watching in wonderment wondering what the purpose of this event was. It seemed like they were performing a stylized battle. Finally they all ran down the road back to the place where the girls family lives. One of the stragglers was a man we know and so I went to the fence and asked him about it. I did my best to understand him as he spoke rather quickly. This is a traditional ceremony used to determine which tribe the offender belongs to. The decision is based on the sound of the whooping. I'm not sure who makes the decision and what kind of whooping is good and what kind is bad. The people all gathered together afterwards to make the determination and then a number of people hopped into a police truck to go to the police station to pass on the results.

The people here are very upset about this tragic event. The girls family feels that someone from the offending tribe needs to be buried with her. There is tension in the air and people are behaving in a manner that is not normal. These kinds of events really do test the faith of the people here and bring out old suspicions and beliefs. Please pray that things will be resolved in a manner that is to God's glory and that the people can feel comfort in God's promises.

In the meantime we plan to keep a low profile until things settle down. Sadly, I think I know the girl. I never knew her name but she would come by to borrow a ball or pump up a ball or sell some fruit; often accompanied by little children. She was always friendly and polite; I liked her. I will find out for sure when Ice comes back to work.