What is "koteka"

• What is "koteka"

Kotek - original case for the penis (fallokript), which is traditionally worn by men of some tribes in New Guinea to cover their genitals. They are usually made from fruit dried gourd, calabash, although can be used fruits and other plants, such as lily of the carnivorous plants of the genus Nepenthes.

Kotekas attached to the base of a small loop of vegetable fibers which put around the scrotum. The second loop is worn around the chest or abdomen and is attached to the main part Kotek.

There is a wide variety of Kotek, differing in shape and length. Boys and men can wear straight and short Kotek, the length of which varies from 10 to 20 cm (they tend to be worn during any vigorous work or during a fight).

There are more long, straight Kotek, the length of which is 60 cm or more (that is, can be above the shoulder), and the average length of the curved Kotek. The boys begin to wear Kotek, usually from 4-5 years and are continuously throughout life, removing them only during urination and sexual intercourse.

In general Kotek not have any symbolic meaning. They are only used to cover male genitalia. However, among some tribes Papuans them is another use. For example, representatives of ethnic eipo (Eipo), when very angry, or afraid of something, grab hold of the Kotek. Sometimes they even weaken the rope, due to which koteka held on the body, and, bouncing, waving kotekas apparently provoking the enemy.

Many tribes can be distinguished by the way they are Kotek: directed straight sideways, straight up or at a certain angle. Diameter Kotek also serves as a hallmark. Contrary to popular belief, there is virtually no relationship between the size of Kotek and social status of its owner. Kotek different sizes are used for different purposes: a very short wear when going to perform some work, and longer and more elaborate - on the occasion.

In 1971-1972, the government pursued a so-called "Operasi Koteka" ( "Operation koteka"), which included trying to convince people to wear shorts and shirts because such clothes are more "modern" (specifically for the purchase of clothing for the Papuans, the Indonesian government annually allocates about 100 million Indonesian rupiah). But because people did not have any removable sets of clothes, no soap to wash dirty clothes began to cause skin diseases. There are also reports that say that some men wore shorts as a headdress, and dresses women used as bags for carrying cargo.

In addition, the program includes the construction of roads, fish ponds, the introduction of new crops (especially rice). Thus, its main goal was to improve the living standards of indigenous people of the province.

However, the government program has not found support among local Papuans and was canceled. Currently wearing Western clothing is compulsory in government buildings and schools. However, to visit the church koteka considered quite appropriate attire. Amen.