For this essay, I chose to discuss the Asabano of Papua New Guinea and how they dealt with death before and after accepting Christianity. I will approach this topic in a way that is true to the traditions and beliefs of Asabano. As their practices regarding how they approached their deceased are very closely linked to their beliefs in ancestral powers, magic and witchcraft, and had an immense impact on their lives. The information I have gathered for this essay comes from the works of Roger I. Lohmann. I chose two of his works: Lohmann, Roger I. (2005): The afterlife of the corpses of Asabano: Relations with the deceased in Papua New Guinea. Ethnology, Vol. 44, no. 2 (spring 2005), pp. 189-206 – which we discussed in class – as well as Lohmann Roger I. (2000): The role of dreams in religious enculturation among the Asabano of Papua New Guinea, Ethnology, Vol. 28 No.1 (March 2000), pp. 75-102. I would like to begin this essay by giving a brief summary of the meaning that the Asabano give to death. Second, I will go into detail about the three main methods used by the Asabano before converting to Christianity – which I will discuss separately in paragraphs specific to them. Finally, I would like to address how they – the Asabano – have now been educated and taught to deal with death, and how to approach the deceased. The Asabano traditionally believed that once an individual died, they were biologically dead, but they were not "socially" dead. For this reason, caring for the remains of the deceased was considered very sacred. It was thought that the way the remains were treated would lead to a positive or negative future relationship with the deceased individual...... middle of paper ...... people don't technically die, that the river would be cold and then, to cremate the body, he would feel himself burning. Today and for these reasons, they bury the dead wrapped in blankets to keep them warm, safe and comfortable in the ground. The Asabano always believe that they must keep the deceased happy to continue a positive and healthy relationship with them. This is why, before the burial, relatives often put money in the coffin to make them happy. Members of Asabano who were still very young at the time of their conversion now consider themselves and their children to be Christians, and so on. They look at their past religious practices and traditions and view them as difficult and time-consuming. Their main belief that two souls reside in the living still exists and it is believed that God takes the large soul to heaven while Satan takes the small soul to hell..