The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-03-24
AMONG THE PAPUANs.
How Family Quarrcls are Conductcd-
Natives of New Britain.


How Family Quarrcis are Conducted-
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 II any of the members OF
the little community of which he is the
head transgresses the customs of the
country, he is called upon to rectify
the wrong. Sometimes, also. feud
will arise between two families, and
then IL becomes his duty to lead his
people in battle. 1t was our good for
tune to witness one of these family
quarrels. A young "buck" was, ac-
cording to our informant. accused of
stealing" a young girl, or, in other
words, they elopod. AS every female
has certain cash value in New Britain,
the relatives demanded that the girl
should be paid for in full, which
demand was refused. After much un-
successful negotiating the indignant fa-
ther of the girl demanded the blood Of
the gay Lothario, and the entire family
went out on the war-path. We sta
toned ourselves ut safe distance from
the scene of operations in order to
watch the affray. One party of some
thirty warriors, the relations of the
young "buck," stationed themselves
behind the trunk of huge fallen tree,
which formed an admirable breastwork,
and calmly awaited the onslaught of
the foe. The girls relatives advanced
leisurely along the sandy beach until
they had arrived within speaking dis"
tance, when they halted, and now an
animated confabulation took place be-
tween the respective leaders, the one
trying to persuade the other to accept %
smaller price for the girl than that de-
manded, the other stoutly refusing any
but the girl's full value. Being unable
to come to an agreement, both parties
began abusing each other in no meas
ured terms, until finally, becoming
more and more exercised, they began
to swing their sings (afavorite weapon
of the Papuan and showers of stones
were soon whizzing across the space be-
tween the two parties. Presently one
old man, more excited or more courage
Gus than the rest, got within spear
distance, and let fly several spears,
without, however, doing any damage.
His friends coming up behind him made
such II fierce onslaught that the foe left
their shelter behind the tree trunk and
retreated. The shrieking and yelling
now became terrific. Finally one of
their warriors was observed to fall and
his friends, dismayed by this catastro-
phe, fled toward their village, bearing
the wounded hero with them. Their
enemies, apparently satisfied with their
victory. seated themselves upon the
fallen trunk to hold a council of war.
A messenger approached from the
enemy's camp and truce was ar
ranged. We waited no longer, but
afterward learned that the girl was
paid for in full and the dispute ended.
The Papuans are polygamists. A man
may have as many wives as his wealth
enables him to purchase, and the more
capital he invests in this kind of prop
erty the greater his income, for the
savage is very practical creature and
his helpmates, by their labor, soon re-
pay him for his outlay. Divorces are
absolutely unknown among these primi-
tive people; woman once bought be-
comes the property of her lord and
master. who Furnishes any minor of
fenses with a cudgel. Woman's greatest
crime is, however, punished with death.
The women are consequently very faith
full, and the latter extremity is seldom
reserted to. If IL man runs away with
another mans wife. he has to pay her
full value in dicara, as we'll as IL fine,
and she then becomes the second party s
property. Should he refuse he is liable
to be killed, at the option of the injured
husband, who kills the woman when
ever he has favorable opportunity =
Cor. San Francisco Chronicle.