Ritualized Homosexuality in Melanesia

Melanesia is a group of islands in the South Pacific that has been intensively studied by anthropologists, who have uncovered cultural influences on sexuality unlike any known in the West. Between 10 and 20 percent of Melanesian societies practice a form of homosexuality within the context of male initiation, which all males of society must experience.

Sambians believe that semen is important for many things including physical growth, strength and spirituality and to impregnate a woman. Finally, they believe that semen cannot easily be replenished by the body and so must be conserved or obtained elsewhere.

In order to obtain adequate amounts of semen, young Sambian males practice semen exchange with each other. Beginning as boys, they learn to practice oral sex in order to ingest sperm, but after puberty thy can also take the penetrative role, inseminating younger boys.

When Sambian males are well past puberty, they begin the transition to heterosexuality. At this time the female body is thought to be less dangerous, because the males have ingested protective semen over the previous years. For a time, they may begin having sex with women and still participate in oral sex with younger boys, but homosexual behavior stops after the birth of a man’s first child. Ritualized homosexuality among the Melanesians is a striking example of the influence of culture on sexual attitudes. A Melanesian adolescent who refuses to practice homosexuality would be viewed as abnormal.

BY: Nageswarie, Rajeswary, Kuganesh, Anita raj