Taboos
The words taboo in Biate dialect is ‘iser’ or ‘ikhap’ or ‘rithiangino.’ They have many believes and faith on various taboos. For instance, the Biate man had to avoid sexual intercourse with his wife before going to war or hunting. It is believed that failure to observe this will lead them to dangerous situation or death or defeat by the enemies. Another belief which prevails is, while a wife is pregnant, the husband is prohibited to kill an animal. It is strongly believed, even today, violation of this will affect the child in the mother’s womb. There is also taboo related to women. The Biate women are not allowed to carry a pair of machete, axe etc., during pregnancy. They are prohibited to eat any conjoint fruits or vegetable, it is believed that if a woman took such thing during pregnancy she will bear a twin baby with severe problem.
