Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-10-12
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AMONG THE PAPuANs.
How Family Quarrels are Conducted-
Natives Of New Britain.

Natives Of New Britain.
The Papuans live in villages. which
are again divided into small Enclosures
occupied by the various families OF
which the tribe is composed. Each
family has its chief or patriarch, whose
position is one of considerable respon.
sibility. for If any of the members o.
the little community of which he is the
head transgresses the customs OF the
country, he is called upon TO rectifs
the wrong. Sometimes, also, feud
will arise between two families, and
then il becomes his duty to lead his
people in battle. II was our good for
tune to witness one of these family
quarrels A young ''buck' was, ac'
cording to our informant. accused ot
stealing" young girl, or in othcf
words, they clopcd. As every female
has certain cash value in New Britain,
the relatives demanded that the girl
should DO paid for in full, which
demand was refused. After much I'M
successful negotiating the indignant fa.
Their Of tho girl demanded the blood OF
the gay Lothario, and the entire famil,
went out on the war-path. We sta.
toned ourselves at safe distance from
the scene Of operations in order Il
watch the ARRAY. One party Of SOM
thirty warriors, the relations OF the
young buck" stationed themselvct
behind the trunk Of huge fallen tree,
which formed an admirable breastwork
and calmly awaited the onslaught Of
the foe. The girls relatives advance
loisurely along tho sandy beach unit
they had arrived within speaking dis
lance. when they halted. and now n
animated contradiction took place be-
tween the respective leaders. the on,
trying TO persuade the other to accept
smaller price for the gil than that de
manded. the other stoutly refusing an
but the girls full value. Being unnbl'
to come TO an agreement. both partie
began abusing each other in no meas
ured terms, until finally. becoming
more and more exercised. they begar
to swing their sings (afavorite weapon
Of the Papuan) and showers Of stone
were soon whizzing across the space be
tween tho two parties. Presently on,
old man, more excited or more courage
ous than the rest, got within spen
distance, and let fly several spears
without, however, doing any damage
His friends coming up behind him made
such fierce onslaught that the foe lief
their shelter behind the tree trunk anC
retreated. The shrieking and yellin:
now became terrific. Finally one o
their warriors was observed to fall an,
his friends. dismayed by this catastro
| pho. fed toward their village. bearin;
the wounded hero with them. Thci
enemies, apparently satisfied with thci
victory. seated themselves upon thu
fallen trunk TO hold council of war
A messenger approached from tn
enenS's camp and u truce was al
ranged. We waited no longer, bu
afterward learned that the girl wa
| paid for in full and the dispute ended
The Papuans arc polygamists. A maj
may have rs many wives rs his wealt
! eHhDltH HliH w l'ulNlitstt hbt tiib ihVi
capital he invests in this kind of prop
erty the greater his income, for tn
savage is very practical creature an'
his helpmates, by their labor soon re
pay him for his outlay. Divorces ar
absolutely unknown among these print
tive people; woman once bought bC
comes the property OF her lord an
master, who PARISHES any minor o.
lenses with = cudgcl Woman creates
crime is, however, punished with death
The women arc consequently very faiti
full, and the latter extremity is seldol
esorted to. If u man runs away wit
another mans wife, he has to pay he
full value in dirara, rs well ms II fin,
and she then becomes the second party
property. Should he refuse he is liabI
to be killed. at the option of the iniure
husband, who kills the woman whei
ever he has favorable opportunity
/ Cor San Francisco Chronicle.