The Brinkley argus., 1910-09-09


 and most typical form in the
 northwestern portion of the
 island, but which spreads west to the Island of Flores and eastward to the Fiji islands Since the begin ming of the sixteenth century, when Europeans first discovered New Guinea, it's inhabitants have been known by the above name, which is said to be derived from the Malayan papuwa or puwah-puwah, meaning ''woolly-haired" Professor Keane says the Papuan Is "one of the most strikingly distinct types of mankind" and though the natives in southern and eastern New Guinea differ widely not only from the type, but also among themselves in many ways, the typical individual exhibits such marked characteristics, both mentally and physically, that he forms an extra ordinary contrast with the Malays on the one hand and with the Australians and brown Polynesians on the other. Like all others, the natives of New Guinea have no doubt, intermingled with these surrounding peoples, and Malays have settled in some parts of the island and Australians and Poly nesians in others.
 The typical Papuan is taller than the average European and strongly built, with large hands and feet, but his legs are thin and weak, and he is usually "spur-heeled." The color of the skin varies in tint from deep choc- olate to nearly black. The most i'm portant characteristic of the face is the nose, which Is large and promi- nent, and through the septum is thrust a nose-bar, usually made of shell. bone or wood The hair, which Is frizzly. dry and stiff is usually worn In an enormous mop, to the training of which much time and attention Is de- voted. Sometimes 1t is arranged in tassels round the head, and various other fashions are occasionally adopt ed It is frequently decorated, espe- cielly on festal occasions, with bright ly-colored flowers of the hibiscus and with plumes of birds of paradise. and. among the purer race one of the most characteristic decorations Is long comb made of split bamboo and orDa- mented with feathers of parrots, etc, which projects above the forehead for a foot or more. Necklaces of shells, teeth and bones. as well as bracelets, armlets and anklets, are much worn :; also arm-bands of grass, which serve as pockets, in which small articles can be tucked away. The breast and arms are often decorated with raised scars, and the face and body are ire. quently painted with red, yellow, white and black. Unlike the Malay, the Papuan is described as impulsive and demonstratiye in speech, his na- ture is joyous and open, his emotions and passions finding expressions in cries, laughter and boisterous ges- lures. Both men and women in parts of the northern coast go about en. tirely naked, but usually the former wear small breech-cloth of bark and the latter short petticoat of woven grass. Their houses are generally built on piles. and, as in Borneo, are often communal and of very large size. many families occupying one building, which may vary in length from 800 to 700 feet There are also club-houscs, where gatherings take place on festal occasions. The .re- markable houses built in high trees and known as 'dobbos" seem to be peculiar to British New Guinea, and are. apparently, chiefly used in time of danger.
 The natives of Papua are, as rule, indifferent seameD. and as a race may be described as agriculturists. their chief crops being sweet potatoes. yams, bananas and sugar-cane. Their domestic animals are pigs, dogs and toN.s, all Of which are eaten, as well as various wild animals, reptiles. fish, mollusks and insects. Cannibalism, though not universal. prevails in q great many districts. The native girls make great pets of the young pigs. and, like Alice ia Wonderland" may De seen carrying them aboul in their arms and ca9essing them! The bow and arrow and the club are the wea. pons most commonly used, while spears, tipped with hardened bamboo or bone. and l.aives and axes made Of jade. are TIC. with and highly prised by collectors Of cthIological objects. As a people their artistic skill Is very