The sun., 1913-11-09
GIRARA MEN CLAIM
DESCENT FROM DOG
British Magistrate Tells of
Queer Customs of New
Guinea Inhabitants.
FOUND MANY CANNIB.ALS
Natives Believe in SOrccry and
Wear Kangaroo Claws in
Their NOstrilS.
FOUND MANY CANNIB.AL.
Spfrial CORR .pOnHe r,,r tn Tmn SlN

LoNpoN, oct. 3l.--W. y Beaver. resi-
dent Magistrate in the western division of
New Guinea. has come hons on leave and
brings with him some inter, sting stories
OF exploration IN that Little known part
OF the world. The district OF which ne
has zen IN charge FOR the past hve years.
New Guinea, comprises some 5000
square miles and extends to the boundary
OF Dutch New Guinea
Two of the most Interesting expeditions
In which Mr., Beaver took part were to the
Girala country. which for several Hionths
OF the year Is almost entirely submerged
The inhabitants are practically unknown
and in their ceremonies and customs
are quite distinct from other New Guinea
natives.
The Girara people claim descent from a
dog. They possess i've ;otcms. which are
drawn on all their houses. Their vii
lagos are erected on hillocks so as to be
clear Of the water and the people of each
village inhabit one large common house
sometimes as much as 400 feet To 500 feet
long and 80 feet TO 80 feet in width. The
centre of this building is "A kind OF COM
mon hall which is used oniy ny the men,
while the walls of the structure are di-
vded into cubicles in three or four floors
''ttSS W WHi'H IL S"!leu u! hi'"iS VI
ladders
special Door for Women.
The women are not allowed to enter
the building by the same door as the men,
The men have curious habit OF dressing
their hair ON their faces so that il ap-
pears like length of rope. The Girara,
who are the only people in rapua who
cover their heads. wear "A headdrcss con-
sisting of a conical fibre hat.
a great deal of sorcery prevails in the
western division. In the wilder parts
of the country the chief is himself a
head sorcerer. He claims to be able to
separate his spirit from his body and to
send II on various missions including
that of killing people. quite recently a
number of sorccrcrs went 10y night to the
house OF "A native, ON whom they cast a
spell by pointing ~ him "A human bone.
They then murdered their victim, and
after his burial dug up the grave and
ate portions of the body for purposes OF
sorcery
Mr.. Beaver also recently explored n
large tract OF country in Dutch New
Guinea where the ma ajori,y OF the people
had never before been visited. These
were very primitive folk. armed with
bows and arrows. They assume IL fierce
aspect by inserting kangaroo claws in
their nostrls and by wearing In their
hair artificial tails extending to their
waists.
Cannibniism StilI Prevails.
In one district near Daru II Is the GUS
tom to brand by means OF mark on
the shoulder Or breast, girl children with
the mark OF the man they are subse-
quently to marry.
Notwithstanding the gfeat care taken
by the Government crrniOaliSm still ex-
lists. 1t Ii the custom to cut OF the
head. arms and legs OF the bodies OF the
victims, the most priced morsel for pur-
poses OF cannbalism being the legs. The
vendetta prevails wherever the Govern
ment has not full control. Among the
Rossel islanders artificial smothering Ia
the usual form OF murder. hut this has
been gradually stamped out by the Gov
ernment.
One OF the most curious movements
that has recently been brought to light
prevails along the northeastern coast. 1t
IL known as the Baigona movement and,
although only eighteen months old. has
spread with great rapidity. Great respect
10 paid to snakes. none of which In al.
lowed to be killed. In some of the west
ern districts the houses contain great
collections Of skulls belonging to enemies
killed In battle to which artificial wooden
noses are attached.
In the Girara district women are
veiled. wearing long net covering the
head and breast