How different is your modern culture from the sawi tenants?

When we compare our modern culture and the Sawi culture, we might find very contrasting exterior differences. At first glance, our culture seems to be more technologically advanced whereas the Sawi culture lacks even simple tools such as an axe. Another alarming difference is our eating habits. The Sawi people are cannibalistic diet whereas our culture does not approve of that diet.

However, when we compare our culture with the Sawi culture in terms of our values, system and relationship with others, little differences can be found. The Sawi culture is known for its significant value in treachery. In fact, they create elaborate plans to “fatten them with friendship for slaughter”. They deceive their prey, which can be a whole tribe or just one person. When people first learn about the treacherous side of the Sawi culture, they react with disgust and label it as inhuman. However, it is not very different from our culture. Our culture seems to believe that there have not been times when we have not deceived others. In several cases this is appears to be incorrect, Even in our culture there are people that value treachery as well. People such as robbers, rapists, and other criminals have all deceived others and committed terrible acts. Even the general public has lied to others, which is a form of deceiving others. However, people can argue that what sets us apart from the Sawi people is our system of law with our courts. But the Sawi people have a system of justice as well. When two Sawi tribes are in violent conflict with each other, there is a peaceful tradition, known as the Peace Child. Also, another major similarity with the two cultures is our love for our family. Even in a culture where treachery may be praised, love between members of the families is clearly evident. Likewise, our culture also has strong bonds of family and friendships. However, in both cultures, trust is only evident within people that we may know. It is hard for us to trust the random person on the street. The Sawi people as well find it hard to trust others outside of the tribe. Clearly, both cultures seems to have very similar interior characteristics. 

Just like this picture, at first glance, we may find alarming differences but when we look closer, we can find more similarities than differences

When we first learn about the Sawi people and their culture, we may believe that we are much more civilized and advanced. However, when we really understand the Sawi culture, we can find little differences between one and other.