Observations on traditional healers of Indonesian aborigines

The observations were done during expeditions to tribes of Indonesian abori gines on the islands of New Guinea/Irian Jaya (Korowai-tribe) and Borneo/Ka limantan (Benuaq-tribe). Neither the Korowai people, who are still living u nder stone age-like circumstances in up to 30 m high tree-houses, nor the B enuaq people of Borneo, being already influenced by missionary men, do trea t injuries or wounds by traditional healers. All the "internal" disorders, not being suffered by injuries, are diagnosed and treated in certain ceremo nies, during which the healer tries to get in contact to the spirits trigge ring the disease. The idea is to know the reason of the disorder caused by demons, though the patient can be treated with bringing offerings or confir mations. This way of treating is due to the image of a magic-demoniac relat ionship between patient and his disease.