Biak postwar Koreri revival traditions

Record summary

Koreri is a Biak tradition of renewal associated with the culture hero Manarmakeri and the expectation of a transformed, prosperous or deathless condition. Postwar revivals and political reinterpretations in western New Guinea make it relevant to studies of apocalyptic journeys and returning figures, although the tradition predates the requested period by centuries or more. The 1947–1969 lead should therefore focus on documented modern revivals, publications or political uses rather than presenting Koreri as a newly originating movement. Sources differ on how much later observers merged distinct Biak traditions.