Youths, elders, and the wages of war in Enga province, Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Even in these times people still want to listen to leaders in a village before they go and fight. People still try to conform to the traditional pattern. But today the notable difference from the past is this: the few young men who possess guns make the decision whether to go and fight or not. Money, pigs, and the views of leaders are not required. We are all like passengers in a public bus and the driver is in control. If I happen to have a gun, then my people must listen to what I have to say. I am the driver. The power is in the gun. It is the gun that is speaking and not me. (Anonymous interview, Wakumale, Enga 2005)