THE QUEER FOLK OF NEW GUINEA.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 17, Issue 6, 23 January 1903, Page 2

THE QUEER FOLK OF NEW GUINEA.

Now Quinea, a part of which tho Commonwealth of Australia has just signified its willingness to absorb, is tho largest island in tho world with tho exception of Greenland, for nowadays Australia is considered a continent. A groat chain of mountains with peaks from 10,000 to 12,000 ft. in height extend from the north-west of tho island to tho south-east. The vegetation is largely Australian in character, and the hills of British New Quinea as seen from the coast have a somewhat sterile appearance. Tho river basins are very fertile and are capable of growing all tho tropical produce. Not much has hitherto been done in this direction, as the climate is unhealthy and the natives are averse to working hard for the white man, though they cultivate tho soil for their own use and may be said to be,good agriculturists. Tho centre of New Quinea is perhaps the least inhabited portion of our earth. This is due to the difficulties of transportation and the unhcalthfulness of tho climate. Tie only means of access into the heart of*tho country is by rivers, and tho upper roaches of these arc subject to continual and rapid changes of volume, so that at any minute a boat may be stranded and delayed until there is a rise in the stream. The Papuans are not at all inclined to travel or act as porters, and there are no tracks through tho jungle. In those respects there is a great contrast to Africa. Beside the rivers there are large scattered vjjlages, and their inhabitants keenly resent tho intrusion of foreigners and as a result there have been several skirmishes between the few travellers who have attempted to penetrate tho country and the patriotic natives. Though the Papuan is by no means averse to stealing upon defenceless men and women, in order to add to his collection of skulls, he can at times exhibit great pluck and bravery, and one can well believe that even gun-possessing Europeans do not feel quite comfortable when a fleet of canoes dashes down the river filled with all but naked savages painted and accoutred for war. The shell and leaf decorations show up well against their black skins ; and above tho gleaming array of their white teeth and their glisten ihg eyes are white feather head dresses or the sable plumes of tho cassowary. Tho chanting of the war song is accompanied by the rhythmic strokes of tho paddles, and as soon as they come within range a shower of arrows is discharged amid vociferous yells. The Papuans'vary in the colour of their skins from copper to very dark bronze, their hair is black and woolly of this they are very proud, and they dress their hair with care and decorate it with combs and beautiful feathers. That is to say the men do, for it is a curious fact that ,as among animals, it is .the males of primitive peoples who are decorated. Young men gorgeously got up with feather and shell ornaments, strut about the village like turkey-cocks, while the more soberly-apparelled damsels look on with admiring eyes. Perhaps the extreme' of fashion is reached by some young men of the Mckeo district where tight lacing is much in vogue. There you see young men with bands drawn round their waists to the extreme of tightness, so that tho flesh oozes out between tho circles of tho belt in prominent rings and the chest seems inflated, recalling the characteristic appearance of the pouter pigeon. One may safely assert that all through life the Papuan woman is much less ornamented than the man. One fact is significant; after marriage the hair is cut off—indeed, that is in most cases, the only outward and visible sign of marriage. One day a damsel will have a fine head of hair and be flighty in her, behaviour ; the next day will sec her demurely walking shelterless, with shaven pate fully exposed to tho broiling tropical sun and looking as if butter would not melt in her mouth. This is indeed a " new woman "—a reformed woman with a past.—“ Science Siftings.”