Italian Surfer Stabbed by Needlefish Honored by Traditional Mentawai Shaman (Video)

Per Suku Mentawai, a cultural education foundation, Sekerei rituals are explained as thus:

“In brief, the Mentawai ceremonies, which are many (marriage, death, new born, new uma, new canoe, new kerei, illness, successful hunts, broken taboos, and so on), are in place primarily to appease the spirits – the Mentawai deities; ensuring that, as with any given member of the clan, they are to remain happy and at peace at all times, thus avoiding the probability of future illness or, in extreme cases, death.”

Soon after the tragedy, tributes honoring Manfrini began pouring out from surfers and non-surfers in the Mentawais and beyond. Additionally, Hidden Bay Resort took to their socials to explain what happened and extend their condolences, writing:

“We've been silent for the last few days in honor of a client and friend who died in a sad accident while surfing one of the friendliest waves in the region.

“She was hit in the chest by a needlefish and died almost immediately.

“We would like to mention that we value the safety and well-being of all our guests, investing in safety items and basic first aid procedures both at the resort and on our boats, and we always guide our guests, giving them all the information and taking them to waves compatible with their surfing level.

“Unfortunately, in this case, there was nothing we could do and we provided all the necessary support to help with the procedures for repatriating the body.

“We do know, however, that she continued to do what she loved best and without suffering.”

Gone but not forgotten; rest in peace Giulia.