Transcultural Tapeworm Trafficking: Indonesia's Introduction of Biological Warfare in West Papua
David C. Hyndman
Volume 2, Number 1 (1989) 2 (1): 1-14
Keywords Cysticercosis, Tape Worm Infection, Biological Warfare, Counter-insurgency, Nationalism, Colonialism, Post-World War II, Christian-Europhile Community, West Papua, Indonesia, Me people, Republic of the Philippines, Papuan de-population, Tapeworm outbreak implications, Stone Age Lifestyle, Cultural Practices and Traditions, Worm Disease Outbreak, Indonesian Military Strategy, Political and Economic Hegemony, European Imperialism in Asia
Abstract
Professor David Hyndman's articles delve into the treacherous impact of Indonesia's introduction of tape worm infested pigs on the people of West Papua, focusing on the Me people. The papers discuss the pig-to-human tapeworm cycle, the first West Papuan epidemic of cysticercosis, and the intentional use of infected pigs for biological warfare and counter-insurgency by the Indonesian military. They propose methods to combat the tapeworm outbreak and highlight the devastating effects of cysticercosis on humans. Furthermore, the unique nationalism of the Republic of the Philippines is examined, tracing its origins to the post-World War II colonial order and the hegemony of the local Christian-Europhile community. Filipino nationalism is portrayed as distinct due to the absence of a unified political entity ruling the archipelago prior to European imperialism, contrasting with other Asian countries.
David C. Hyndman
Published June 1, 1989
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2025 David C. Hyndman (Author)
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