The Abelam people are subsistence farmers in New Guinea who are famous for their artwork and for their majestic, towering spirit houses that once dominated village skylines. They are also well-known for growing and exchanging huge ceremonial yams that often exceed 3 meters (10 feet) in length. I have written about how yam beliefs organize and synchronize many aspects of their lives. Anthropologists and food studies scientists are interested in how people use food symbolically and expressively, and the Abelam provide a good example of how food helps to build social identities.
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Like many other peoples of New Guinea, the Abelam traditionally had an egalitarian social organization, lacking formal political offices and social hierarchies. How did they maintain social order with no police, courts, judges or jails? They had very rich ceremonial and social lives. How did they organize their activities without formal political or religious leaders?
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In some parts of the Pacific islands, most notably in eastern Polynesia, there are complex chiefdoms with formal leaders who orchestrate public works. How and why did these chiefdoms arise? Why didn’t they develop in the highlands of New Guinea, and among people like the Abelam? I have had a special relationship with the Abelam for over forty years. I’ve described their conflict management techniques in my PhD thesis, studied their social organization, worked on legal development projects to establish Village Courts in their territory, and have assisted in their efforts to achieve sustainable economic development.
The Abelam People
 ceremonial dancer |  decorated long yams |  artist painting wood carving |
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 traditional adornment |