For years the Hewa (literally translated as ‘the savages’) were considered to be head-hunters like their contemporaries on the same continent. Skulls could be found adorning their huts in the middle of the New Guinea jungles. But, it was not the case. In fact, these were the skulls of their dead relatives. The way of the Hewa was to bury the dead upright in a fetal position, arms around the shins, with the head close to the surface of the ground – some skulls breaking through the jungle floor. Two years later, they would dig down and ‘pop’ off the skull, perform a ceremony which included ingesting Beetlenut (a mild mental stimulant) and return the skull to the hut of the relatives. It has not been performed for forty years….or so everyone thought.
Never before photographed or filmed, Stroud returns to the wilds of Papa New Guinea with special permission to travel three arduous days on foot through the jungle to carry out the ‘Cumoutin’ ceremony himself with the guidance of the Hewa. Bow and arrow in hand, machete attached at the belt – a deadly battle always lurks around the next corner. Les will participate in the full honouring ceremony, including ingesting Beetlenut before a village of 800 locals. Here Les proves what every Hewa Tribesman knows – survival isn`t just about protecting and nourishing the body, it is about a state of mind.
With award winning, never before seen ceremonial and survival footage, Les Stroud crafted this stunningly beautiful and compelling series about connecting to the earth through survival and ancient ceremonies with indigenous cultures around the planet.
Directed By Les Stroud
Starring Les Stroud
Source
Im curious did the body smell after 4 years at all? Im from ontario too and i think the hot/ cold would effect the decomposition. Ive seen a bunch of old animal carcasses and theres a bit but not so much depending. Gotta experience this shit to know. You only figure out subtlety when you try. Also those ants would suck!!!!!
These are simply amazing. Keep them coming please.
You and they know the way… neither have a damn phone in their hand, coincidence???
35:16 I think this right here summarizes pretty well how intense life is there. Look at that kid just casually holding that spider. What.
Before watching this vid, I'm hoping to see a beetlenut experience like in the Survivorman episode.
Better start your show on America soon.
Oh no. A protest. It's everywhere!!
Love these man
Please keep uploading these
I can not imagine the honor of being asked to join in that ceremony. What a beautiful gift.
Wow
I love these episodes. Not only do we get to see some survival stuff, but we get to see new cultures from Les’ great videos & storytelling
This was the most interesting thing I have watched in a long time. Thanks Les
Life Expectancy 32 years, skewed by a high infant mortality rate. Once you get past age 14, people can live to 50,60 easy.
I wonder if these are filmed while he was training for a 7 day vid.
I must admit I remember falling for the Bear trap, looking back I have no idea how. Les was and is the real deal.
These people need to be remembered. They never let technology and science away whom they are.
I'm surprised that Les hasn't toughened up his feet. He's probably too busy making interesting films. Thanks for sharing this!
Thank you les.
These videos are becoming addictive 👍👍 Very interesting and intriguing.
when was the series filmed?
This is from 15 years ago
I hope he didn't watch Green Hell before going out
Great video. I'm from northern ontario nearby departure lake," hoss friend here" will definitely try the spiritual demons cure dance hopefully it will cure me and friends, more than welcome to come up the mattagami river🤠
Its absolutely amazing to me that people are living in an actual jungle barefoot…that alone is just crazy…
Should've played the harmonica while they stared at you lol
Betel nut! Almost killed the cameraman, he tried to hold the tree from falling.
To be part of this has to be amazing, crazy, sad, happy. It runs the gambit of human emotion and I'm glad someone is documenting this stuff.