The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1910-06-11


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, its inhabitants have been
known 10y the above name, which Is
said TO be derived from the Malayan
papuwa or puwah,puwah, meaning
"woolly-haircd 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, intcrmlnglcd
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 heclcd." The color Of
the skin varies in tint from deep choc-
olato 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 fri22ly.
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. II Is frequently decorated, cspc-
cially on fcstal occasions, with bright
ly-cOlOrcd flowers Of the hibiscus and
with plumcs Of birds Of paradise, and
among the purcr race one Of the most
.
comb made Of split bamboo and orna.
mcnted 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,
armlcts 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 frc-
qucntly painted with red. yellow,
white and black Unlike the Malay,
the Papuan is described as impulsiye
and dcmOnstratiyc in speech. his ma
ture IS joyous and open. his emotions
and passions finding expressions in
cries laughter and bOisterous gcs-
tures. Both men and women I'm parts
Of the northern coast go about en-.
tirely naked. but usually the former
wear a small breech.cloth OF bark and
the latter a short pettlcoat 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 500 70 700 feet There are also
club-houses, where gatherings take
place on festal occasions Tho 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 Papna are, as rule,
Indifferent seamen 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
toTls, all OF which are eaten. IS we'll