An Unknown People.

Evening Star, Issue 7331, 1 October 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

An Unknown People.

A gentleman who has spent a number of years in the South Seas as agent for a German mercantile house recently narrated the following account of his residence in the New Britain Group to a San Francisco ' Chronicle' reporter : "The islands in question are out of the becten track and beyond visits of war-ships and small trading and missionary vessels. But little is known to the general public regarding the habits and customs of the Natives of the group. The narrative contains many peculiar and novel statements, but a recent report of the British High Commissioner of the Pacificlslands to hisGovernmentconfirms the story. In 1886 there were two communities—one on the Island of Matupi, in Blanche Bay, the headquarters of the Hamburg tradingjjfirm of Robertson and Hernsheim ; and the missionaries who live at a station on Duke of York . Island, situated on the channel between New Britain and New Ireland. In proximity to the mission station a number of Frenchmen, who came to New Guinea with the Marquis Ray party, wero living. These fellows are a lazy lot, and for company they have some runaway sailors, who do nothing but loaf around and connubiate with the Natives. Our firm have a few traders at villages around the islands. The German Government took possession of these islands in 1886, and they are now called New Mecklenburg and New Pomerania, Upon New Britain are two extinct volcanoes and one partially active. Within a mile of this burning mountain is a river of boiling water, with a strong sulphurous taste. Earthquake shocks are common, but are not lasting in effect. " Trade winds blow all day for seven or eight months of the year, but the night land breeze is very noxious, as sweeping over the inland swamps it becomes laden with malaria. Matupi, our head station, is very healthy, and fever is unknown. Tropical vegetation is very luxuriant and varied. Gigantic trees are covered with ferns, orchids, huge mosses, and parasitic growths of all descriptions. The mass of vegetation is so dank and matted that it requires axe-work to cut a roadway through the jungle. Our trade consists in purchasing copra, dried, cocoanut, hawksbill turtle shell, beche-de-mer, and a few sharkfins. We give in exchange tobacco principally ; but prints and cotton goods, powder, and knives are also articles of barter. The Natives are good agriculturists. In every little fissure of the rocks and on hillsides are patches of sugar-cane and beds of yams and sweet potatoes. Taro is also growing, and the plant requires considerable irrigation, supplied by means of artiheial channels and dams, whereby the mountain streams are conducted to the fields. CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE. " Roughly speaking, there are about 80,000 souls. Since the German warships have visited us, a number of villages on the west side of New Britain have been discovered, and new trading stations will be located. Cocoanut trees are very abundant, and wherever dense groves were seen from the vessel's deck smoke was visible rising from them, indicating the presence of Natives. About the island of New Britain or New Mecklenburg we know a great deal; of New Ireland or New Pomerania, a little ; but New Hanover, which lies a little to the north of the group, is almost a terra incognita. The Natives there are very hostile, and have killed and eaten several white men. They resist any attempt to re-establish trading-posts. So far as I have seen from a schooner's deck, the land on New Hanover is rich soil—wide-spreading plains covered with wild sugar-cane and cocoanut trees. The mountains seem to be in the interior, as the slopes gradually come towards the coast, and dense masses of vapor cluster over the tops, especially in the rainy season. These islands, although situated but a few degrees south of the Equator, are lovely spots, and, being out of the beaten track, the Natives still retain their ancient customs, and practice various rites and ceremonies of olden times. singular customs. " The Native, as a rule, does not like to be questioned. He credits a white man with possessing universal knowledge, and when asked about an observance or ceremony, usually returns evasive replies. In New Britain there are customs that to talk about is tabooed, and some words are notpermitted to be spoken. My acquaintance with theße people and observations are, therefore, the only guides to go by. The parents betroth their children at early ages. The boy has to work and pay for his wife in copra, cocoanuts, or trading goods. As the price fixed is generally high, the boy becomes a : grown man before.it is finally paid. When the stipulated amount is liquidated, the husband builds a small house in the brush at some distance from his village. He then persuades his fianc&e to elope with him, but with the knowledge of her parents. The discovery of the abduction is then made, the girl's father is indignant, and the bridegroom's father comes to offer'sympathy, and vows vengeance against bis son for disgracing him.' Then all the relatives on either side are called in, and a feast takes place. The meal being ended, the men arm themselves and put on their war-paint, starting out as if in search of a foe. They know exactly where the house is, and of oourse find it empty. As the expedition would be shorn of its impressiveness if some display were not made, the house is burned and the party returns to the village, where another feast is held. Next morning the young couple are to be found in the village, and the balance of the purchase being paid, married life is entered into without Further inconvenience. The custom prevails that a man pays off a deceased brother's obligation in the matter of making good any contract for payments entered into for a girl. She becomes, after liquidation Of the contract, a part of his household. When the father dies the children are taken to the mother's village for support; bnt tho widow is never allowed to marry again. In these islands a curious custom prevails which might be copied by civilised nations to advantage. A man must not speak to his mother-in-law. Not only is speech forbidden to this relative, but she must be avoided; if by chance the lady is met, the Bon-in*law must hide himself or cover his face. Suicide of both parties is the outcome if the rule is broken, One of the English missionaries tried to get at the Natives'idea of an oath, and he found that the most solemn asservation among them was : 'lf I am not telling the truth, I hope I may touch the hand of my mother-in-law.' Numerous idols carved out of a white chalk-like stone are found in the group, but the Natives say they are very old, and seem: to, be in dread if a white man touches or looks at one. They are very rude conceptions, and are generally found in the vicinity of graves. THE DUK-DUK.

will endeavor to describe the incidents of tHe performance and its meanings. The Duk-duk is supposed to be a spirit which makes its appearance fit daybreak pf tj l6

day on which the new moon appears, It invariably comes from the sea, and as soon as it is daylight two or three cafloes, with a platform upon them, are Seen coming to the shore. The entire male community o* the village awaits the coming on the beach seated in silence. On the platform are two men, leaping and shouting and crying out in shrill tones. They wear a loose robe of leaves woven together and reaching to the knees. On their heads are conical-shaped hats, some six feet high, from the rims of which are hung masks, entirely concealing the features. The masks have horriblelooking faces painted upon them. The lower portions of the legs are alone visible. As the dress is supposed to represent a cassowary, or New Guinea ostrich, with a human head, the figures upon landing execute a series of hopping steps in imitation of the bird. Meanwhile the Natives appear to be frightened. The Duk-duk is to stay in the village a fortnight, and during that period he is allowed to do whatever he pleases. No woman is allowed to look at him. In fact, as soon as the canoe was sighted the women all ran away to the bush. After dancing a short time, the Duk-duk goes into the jungle and the Natives move off slowly to their houses. " In the evening immense quantities of cocoanuts, yams, taro, and other food are piled in the centre of the village square. As each man brings his contribution, the Duk-duk dances around him. If satisfied, he utters a shrill cry; if displeased, the individual receives a tremendous blow with a club. After these food offerings are concluded the ceremonies begin. A large bundle of canes about six feet long and as thick as one's little finger were brought. Five or six young men jumped up, and, holding their arms high above their heads, received heavy blows from this bundle of canes, which were wielded by the Duk-duk. The canes curled round their bodies, and at each stroke drew blood. Other young men took their places, going through the same ordeal. Sometimes the Duk-duk would vary the performance by striking with his club. The ceremonies were repeated for ten days, and then the Duk-duks took .their departure. I believe the origin and meaning of these peculiar ceremonies are that the old Natives hold power over the young men. The Duk-duk is always said to belong to some old man, who summons it out of the sea. No one knows who is actually dancing in disguise, but they do know that if the old men have ordered the Duk-duk to kill any individual the command will be obeyed without interference from anyone. Again, the old men, having become decrepit, cannot work in their gardens, and the piles of food offered to the spirit comes into their possession. CANNIBALISM, "Although cannibalism is reported by missionaries to have died out among the islands in the South Seas, it is far more common than generally imagined. In* New Ireland I saw a big fight between two villages, and after the battle the bodies of those who had fallen were eaten. The bodies, after being scalded in hot water, are scraped with a bamboo knife by old women. An old man cuts up the bodies, taking care to keep the thigh and shin bones, which are used for spear heads. After being wrapped in stout leaves, the dismembered cadavers are placed in ovens dug in the ground, and in four days are ready for eating. The Natives made no concealment of their disgusting meal, and during the feast they held wild dancing and orgies. The preparation of sago, oocoanut, and human brains is called sak-sak, and is in great demand among the women. The females seemed to be more brutal and savage than the men during this cannibal banquet. " With regard to the adaptability of these islands to white colonisation.fthere is no reason why such a scheme should not succeed. There is rich soil, fine climate, and plenty of water. Although the Natives are savage and suspicious, they can be easily managed by firmness and consideration. None of the men are over five and a-half feet in stature, while the women are much shorter. They make good servants, but must be held in check and never allowed any familiarity."