Growth by Sodomy

In his study of Papuans of the Trans-Fly, F.E. Williams remarked on the role of homosexual relations in the rites of initiation:

“The bachelors had recourse to sodomy, a practice which was not reprobated but was actually a custom of the country – and a custom in the true sense, i.e., fully sanctioned my male society and universally practised. For a long time the existence of sodomy was successfully concealed from me, but latterly . . . it was admitted on every hand. It is actually regarded as essential to the growing boy to be sodomized. More than one informant being asked if he had ever been subjected to unnatural practice, answered, ‘Why, Yes! Otherwise how should I have grown?’”

He adds that “every male adult in the Morehead district has in his time constantly played both parts in this perversion. The boy is initiated to it at the bull-roarer ceremony and not earlier, for he could not then be trusted to keep the secret from his mother. When he comes adolescent his part is reversed and he may then sodomize his juniors, the new initiates to the bull-roarer. I am told that some boys are more attracted and consequently receive more attention of this kind than do others; but all must pass through it, since it is regarded as essential to their bodily growth. There is indeed no question as to the universality of the practice” (158-9).