Voices of the Villagers (2 Vol. set)
PART 1
Mary Mennis taped the voices of village elders along the Madang coast in the 1970s. Topics included: origins of the tribes; traditional village life before outside contact; spiritual beliefs; weather magic; men’s houses and initiations; and the customs of trading in triple-deck canoes along the coast using earthenware pots as collateral. It also covers the origins of their cargo cults which differ from the theory proposed by Peter Lawrence.
Mary Mennis and her husband, Brian lived in Papua New Guinea for 20 years between 1962 and 1982. Brian, a surveyor, was posted to Madang for eight years beginning in 1971 when the centenary of Miklouho Maclay was being celebrated in Madang. After reading his accounts of the large trading canoes he saw in 1871, Mary became fascinated in the local culture. She discovered the people had stopped building these canoes during the war in the 1940s. She then encouraged five old men who still had the knowledge to build another canoe in 1978 and she documented its construction, the magic of the weather men; the pots they traded and the whole trading system. This knowledge was on the verge of being lost. Launching one of Mary’s earlier books, Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, first Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea thanked her for her work and said the book The Flagged History of Madang would play a great role in educating the young people.
Mary Mennis has a Masters Degree in History from UPNG and a Masters Degree in Social Science from James Cook University. She was an Honorary Research Assistant at Queensland University for many years. Her research in Madang is also found in the book: A Potted History of Madang: Traditional Culture and Change on the North coast of Papua New Guinea published in 2007. During their time in Madang, Mary developed a deep appreciation of the culture of the village people and her family attended many gatherings and feasts.
PART 2
What were the villagers’ reactions to the outsiders who came to Madang? These are found in taped interviews in the 1970s from memories handed down from earlier generations. First was Miklouho Maclay who arrived in 1871. The people thought he was from the moon. In 1884 when Madang became a German Province, the villagers were forced to work on plantations and on clearing land. They wanted to return to their old ways of trading and having feasts. They revolted in 1904 and were harshly punished. During World War Two the Japanese occupied Madang and again their way of life was affected. After the war the Australian Government was in charge until 1975 when Papua New Guinea became Independent. In these pages we discover what the people thought about all these changes. Basically they saw the Germans as the first bosses then they left and the Australians took over, then during the war the Japanese arrived and they were the new bosses. You had to do what they said or you would be in trouble.
The final part of Volume two contains the memories of the Motu traders, the hiri trade and the large lagatoi canoes which carried pots to the Gulf in exchange for the much needed sago. These interviews were made in 1995, 50 years after the end of World War 2. These two volumes Voices of the Villagers have preserved much knowledge of the history and culture of the Bel people of Madang and to a lesser extent that of the Motu people of Port Moresby.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
New Guinea Communications v
Acknowledgements vii
List of figures xxi
PART A
01. THE YOMBA ISLAND ORIGINS 1
Traditions about Yomba Island origins about 550 years ago. ……………………… 1
Introduction by the author ……………………………………………………………………. 1
Madmai of Yanupain Clan on Kranket (7/7/77) ……………………………………. 3
Reliability of genealogies ………………………………………………………………………. 4
Volcanic History …………………………………………………………………………………… 6
Yomba Island Testimonies ………………………………………………………………………..15
Bek of Riwo, Interview, May 1977 (1980b: 16) ……………………………………..15
Paul of Siar Village………………………………………………………………………………. 16
Gabud of Siar Village: Interview. January 1979. (1980b: 107) ………………. 17
The Kranket (Mitibog) Islanders ………………………………………………………………17
Madmai continued 7/7/77 ……………………………………………………………………………. 19
Sibud of Kranket, Interview: August 1977 (1980b: 111) ……………………….20
Adpa of Kranket Island, Yomba Interview 7/7/77 (1980b: 98) ………………21
Bille of Kranket Interview, 7/7/77 (1980b: 92) ……………………………………..21
Tomasin of Sausau Clan (Interviewed 29 May 1977) …………………………………. 21
Bail of Yabob (1981a: 4) Yomba Island was off the coast ……………………………. 22
Kasare of Yabob in 1978 (1981a: 47) ………………………………………………………….. 22
Balem Beg at Yabob Village (10th Sept, 76, 1981a) ……………………………………… 23
Ber of Yabob whose ancestors came from Long Island
(1981a: 21–23) ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 23
Damun of Yabob June 1977 (1981a: 24) …………………………………………………….. 24
Maia Awak of Bilbil Village 10th December 1976 (1981a: 96) …………………….. 26
(Maia 1981a: 94) (Interview 1976 with M. Mennis) …………………………………… 27
Puan of Umuim Village (1981b: 83) ………………………………………………………….. 28
Wangum of Mindiri 24th August 1977 (1981b: 91ff) ………………………………….. 28
Bail of Mindiri (1981b: 92) ………………………………………………………………………… 29
Baio of Galilo Village, Time of darkness (1981b: 77) …………………………………. 30
Baramut of Dogia Village, Rai Coast, 16th November 1978
(1981b: 85–86) ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 30
Imso Kau of Orinma 1977 (1981b: 88) ………………………………………………………. 31
Settlement of the coastal islands after Yomba sank …………………………………………. 32
The meeting between an Austronesian Speaker and a bush man ……………….. 32
Dau of Riwo May 1977 (1980b: 7) ……………………………………………………………… 34
Sungai of Siar and the new islands in the harbour (1980b: 37) …………………… 36
The Lilungs and the people of Bagabag Island …………………………………………… 37
Madamai of Kranket Island ……………………………………………………………………….. 38
Time of Darkness on Arop/Long Island between 1660 and 1665 ……………………. 38
Summary about Long Island from Professor Russell Blong ……………………….. 38
Maia Awak Time of darkness Interview with Professor Russell Blong
(I took Russell Blong on a vist to Bilbil village in 1976) (1981a: 96) …………… 39
Madmai of Yanupain Clan on Kranket, Interview
M. Mennis (7/7/77) …………………………………………………………………………………… 41
Pottery sherds from Long Island 2014 ……………………………………………………….. 41
Ber of Yabob (1981a 21–23) ………………………………………………………………………. 43
02. THE BEL PEOPLE 47
Karkar Island …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 50
Riwo Village a bel village ……………………………………………………………………………….. 50
Kranket Island and Villages……………………………………………………………………………. 51
Yabob Islands…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 51
Kasare of Yabob village (1981a: 61) (Yabob’s ancestors) ………………………………. 52
The Ham Group in the Gogol Valley …………………………………………………………. 53
Mangan of Bilibil on the Gogol Valley people: …………………………………………… 53
Linguistic Findings on the Ham language group ……………………………………………. 55
Mindiri Village ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 56
Meinpain of Kranket Island and formerly of Mindiri: ……………………………….. 56
What can we deduce from these oral testimonies? ………………………………………… 59
03. HISTORICAL EVIDENCE IN MYTHS 61
The Kilibob and Manup myth (1981b: 83) ……………………………………………………… 61
Puan of Umuim Village (1981b: 84) ………………………………………………………….. 61
Kilibob and Manup (Date of Interview, 1st November 1978) ……………………… 62
Investigating history in the Kilibob and Manup myth ……………………………….. 64
Maia Awak of Bilbil (1976) (Maia 1981a: 94) …………………………………………….. 67
Sidi of Siassi (1981a: 96) A two-brother myth found in the Siassi
Islands ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 67
History in the Honpain myth? …………………………………………………………………… 68
Ber of Yabob: Story of Honpain (1981a: 18–20) …………………………………………. 68
Kasare of Yabob: Story of Honpain (1981a: 44–46) ……………………………………. 69
Wangum of Mindiri 24th August 1977 (1981b: 91ff) ………………………………….. 71
The fish at Riwo ………………………………………………………………………………………… 73
04. FIGHTS, MAGIC AND MEZIAB 75
Bashan of Bilia (Interview May 1978) (1980b: 82)……………………………………… 75
Madamai of Kranket about a fight (1980b: 99) ………………………………………….. 75
Los of Kranket Island (Graged) 31st August 1977 (1980b:109) …………………… 75
Fight over pots between the Mindiri and Yabob people …………………………….. 76
Male of Siar, 21st August 1977 (1980b:36) …………………………………………………… 77
Wangum of Mindiri, 24th August 1977 (1981b: 91) ……………………………………. 78
Damun of Yabob (June 1977: 1981b: 29)—Fight with the bush people ………. 79
Derr (1981b: 24) Fight with the Amele inland people ……………………………….. 80
The Meziab, secret Society of initiated men ……………………………………………….. 81
Meziab myth of the bullroarers …………………………………………………………………. 82
True Story of Sibor: The Village That is no More because of the
meziab secrets …………………………………………………………………………………………… 84
Initiation Ceremonies (1981a: 75), Maia of Bilbil Village, July 1974 …………… 85
Secret Language ………………………………………………………………………………………… 88
The Likon magic of the Bel people, Bashan of Bilia (1980b: 78ff) ………………. 90
Lalu, son of Sangal (1981b:4–8). Interview M. Mennis ………………………………. 91
Kasare of Yabob. (1981a: 41) ……………………………………………………………………… 94
Weather Magic ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 98
Wind magic ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 99
Magic stones or slates ………………………………………………………………………………. 102
Magic for sickness …………………………………………………………………………………… 102
Maia Awak ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 104
05. TRADITIONAL TRADING TRIPS 105
Sungai of Siar village, leader of Lilung clan (1980b: 47–48) ………………………….. 105
Bek of Riwo village ………………………………………………………………………………….. 106
Maia Awak of Bilbil village, 30th August 1976 (1981a: 102) ………………………. 108
Maia Awak and Pall Tagari Place, Bilbil Village (1981a: 102–107) ……………. 109
Kasare of Yabob (1981a: 33) …………………………………………………………………….. 112
Ber of Yabob (1981a: 12) …………………………………………………………………………. 112
Damun of Yabob (1981a: 25–26) ……………………………………………………………… 113
Pall Tagari of Bilbil (1981b: 32) ……………………………………………………………….. 114
Damun of Bilbil (1981b: 13) ……………………………………………………………………. 114
Derr Mul of Bilbil Village, Trade Items (1981b: 23) …………………………………. 116
Damun of Bilbil Trading trips (1981a: 17) ……………………………………………….. 117
Damun—A Trading Trip …………………………………………………………………………. 118
Pall Tagari of Bilbil Village, 10th December 1978 (1981b: 50) …………………… 118
Pall Tagari—A Dangerous Trip to Karkar in a Chinese boat ……………………. 120
Derr Mul of Bilbil Village, February 1976 (1981b: 23) ……………………………… 121
Derr of Bilbil, 24th February, 1976 (1981b: 24) …………………………………………. 122
Garong of Siassi (1981b: 95) ……………………………………………………………………. 124
Derr (1981b: 24) ……………………………………………………………………………………… 125
Pall Tagari of Bilbil Village, Trading Trip May, 1978 (1981b:44 ff) …………… 126
Pall Tagari of Bilbil, 20th September 1978 (1981b: 45) continued ……………… 128
Pall Tagari of Bilbil, Different winds (1981b:45) ………………………………………. 129
Bail of Mindiri, Trading at Mindiri (1981b: 92) ……………………………………….. 130
Wangum of Mindiri Village (1981b: 92) ………………………………………………….. 131
Sidi of Siassi (1981b: 97–99) ……………………………………………………………………. 132
Origins of Clans …………………………………………………………………………………………… 134
Kasare of Yabob 28th June 1978 (1981a: 32) ……………………………………………… 134
Poisons and Magic …………………………………………………………………………………… 135
Maia Awak of Bilbil, 5th April 1975 (1981a: 93) ………………………………………… 135
Damun of Bilbil—Bilbil men and bushmen, March 1974 (1981b: 17) ………. 136
Sidi of Siassi (1981a: 96) ………………………………………………………………………….. 137
06. CANOES AND TRADE ITEMS 141
Bel canoes ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 141
Pall Tagari (1981b: 32) …………………………………………………………………………….. 141
Bek of Riwo (1980b) ………………………………………………………………………………… 143
Magic and the canoes …………………………………………………………………………………… 144
Bashan of Bilia (1980b: 64–65) ………………………………………………………………… 144
Bashan of Bilia, 21st May 1978 (1980b: 63) ………………………………………………. 145
Los of Kranket (1980b: 113–115) …………………………………………………………….. 145
Pall Tagari, 14th October 1978 (1981b: 53) ……………………………………………….. 146
Pall Tagari of Bilbil, 21st October 1978 …………………………………………………….. 147
Damun, Thursday 19th October (1981b: 53) …………………………………………….. 147
Puan of Umuim (1981b: 84) ……………………………………………………………………. 148
Us of Hudini, November 1978 (1981b) ……………………………………………………. 148
A fight over canoes with the Bilbils ………………………………………………………………. 150
Baio of Ohoro Village (near Gogol Bridge), 13th November 1970
(1981b: 74) ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 150
Magic associated with building a canoe ……………………………………………………….. 151
Bashan of Bilia (1980b: 64) ……………………………………………………………………… 151
Bashan of Bilia—Tok Bokis, 21st May 1978 (1980b: 83–84) ……………………… 153
Bashan of Bilia, 21st May (1980b: 63ff) …………………………………………………….. 154
Bek of Riwo Village, 9th November 18 (1980b: 24) …………………………………… 155
Sungai of Siar Village, 10th January 1979 (1980b: 42–44) ………………………….. 156
Gabud and Madaig of Kranket Island (1980b: 43) ……………………………………. 158
Pall Tagari of Bilbil Village—Trade Items (1981b: 54) …………………………………..163
Tambarans and Masalai ……………………………………………………………………………….. 172
Pall Tagari Bilbil Village (1981b: 34–35) ………………………………………………….. 172
Pall of Bilbil Village—Masalai (spirits) (1981b: 32) ………………………………….. 173
Magic for the canoe building ……………………………………………………………………….. 175
Derr Mul of Bilbil Village (1981:19) ………………………………………………………… 175
Nagada of So Village, November 1978 (1981b) ………………………………………… 175
Pall Tagari, 14th August 1975 (1981b: 41–43) …………………………………………… 176
Clans on Bilbil Island—Hudini Village informant (1981b: 82) …………………. 178
Pall Tagari of Bilbil (1981b)……………………………………………………………………… 178
Clan and Sub-Clan on Bilbil Island ………………………………………………………….. 179
Baramut of Dogia Village (1981b: 86) ……………………………………………………… 180
07. TRADITIONAL LIFE ON BILBIL ISLAND 183
Primitive calendar in Bilbil Village near Madang …………………………………………. 183
Nalon Derr ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 183
Traditional house on Bilbil Island ……………………………………………………………. 184
Gab of Bilbil Village (1981b: 1) ………………………………………………………………… 186
Kasare of Yabob—Kasare was born on Bibil, about 1902.
Interview January 8, 1979 (1981a: 64) ……………………………………………………… 186
Maia of Bilbil Village—Description of life on the island ………………………….. 188
Maia of Bilbil in the 1970s (1981: 84–85) …………………………………………………. 190
GLOSSARY …………………………………………………………………. 193
BIBLIOGRAPHY ………………………………………………………….. 197
PART B
08. FIRST CONTACTS WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD 1
Miklouho Maclay—a Russian Scientist………………………………………………….1
Gab in Bilbil Village 7th November, 1978 (1981b: 1)……………………………….3
Damun of Bilbil Village (1981b: 9) ………………………………………………………..4
Los of Kranket Island (1980b: 117)………………………………………………………..4
Tomasin of Kranket Island (14th January 1978)………………………………………4
Augam of Kranket 15th May 1973 (1980b: 117–118)………………………………5
David Ber Yabob Village. Interview 1994 with M. Mennis
told the Story of Malu, of Gorima Village, who wanted to kill
Miklouho-Maclay. …………………………………………………………………………………5
Bai Village by Maclay…………………………………………………………………………….7
Otto Finsch, German Scientist, visited the Rai Coast in
1881 and 1884 ……………………………………………………………………………………….8
The Samoa …………………………………………………………………………………………….9
09. THE GERMAN COLONY1884 TO 1914 13
Kasare of Yabob, The Siassi and Bilbil (1981a: 47)………………………………..15
Pall of Bilbil Village (1981b: 32)…………………………………………………………..15
Dadau, the luluai called after the dadau wind.
(An unwanted baby). …………………………………………………………………………..15
Pall Tagari, In the German times, 27th June 1978 (1981b: 35)……………….16
Bashan of Bilia (1980b: 61, also p. 74)………………………………………………….16
Baio from Ohoro Village, near Gogol Bridge ……………………………………….20
Balem Beg of Yabob Village, 1977 (1981a: 1) ……………………………………….22
10. THE 1904 REVOLT OF THE BEL PEOPLE 29
The Morning of the Revolt ……………………………………………………………………….32
Madmai Karik of Kranket Island………………………………………………………………34
Testimonies from Kranket Island about the 1904 Revolt …………………………..36
Gabud and Madaig of Kranket Island (1980b: 43)………………………………………………..36
Los of Kranket Island, 16 January 1979 (1980b: 113)………………………………..37
Bille of Kranket Island 1904 Revolt (1980b: 91 ff)…………………………………….38
Testimonies from Siar Island on 1904 Revolt, M. Mennis…………………………38
Sungai of Siar 1904 Siar Revolt, 10th January 1979, M. Mennis
(1980b: 37–46)………………………………………………………………………………………….39
Gurnass Kionsite of Siar Village, September 1976, M. Mennis………………….41
Male of Siar, May 8th 1976 (1980b: 36)……………………………………………………..42
Testimonies from Bilia Village, 1904 Revolt ……………………………………………..44
Bashan of Bilia (1980b: 77) ………………………………………………………………….44
Siang of Bilia—Siang was Nalon’s son, 9th March 1977, (1980b: 55)………46
Testimonies from Yabob Village on 1904 Revolt…………………………………..47
Kasare of Yabob (1981a: 70–71) The Siar Revolt…………………………………. 47
Ber of Yabob, Interview 5th January 1979, (1981a :10)………………………………… 49
Testimonies from Bilbil village ………………………………………………………………….. 49
The 1904 Revolt, February 1979 (1981b: 28–30) Informants Derr Mul
and Maia Awak. ………………………………………………………………………………………… 50
Pall Tagari of Bilbil (1981b: 35–47)……………………………………………………………. 52
Pall Tagari of Bilbil The Siar Revolt, November 1976 (1981b: 38–41) ………… 56
Maia Awak of Bilbil Village, March 1976 (1981a: 72)…………………………………. 57
Derr Mul Bilbil—Leaving the island, February 1976 (1981b: 28, Mary
Mennis)…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 59
Baramut of Dogia (1981b: 88). The German times…………………………………….. 59
Anan of Od Village (1981b: 69)…………………………………………………………………. 59
Baio of Ohoro Village (near Gogol Bridge) (1981b: 74) …………………………….. 60
11. LUTHERAN MISSION IN MADANG 65
Pall Tagari, 27th February (1981b: 60) (Pall was a Lutheran catechist)………… 65
Derr Mul of Bilbil: …………………………………………………………………………………….. 68
Damun of Bilbil Village (1981b)………………………………………………………………… 69
Los of Kranket Island (1980b: 113)……………………………………………………………. 69
Kaltem of Hudini Village—The Lutheran Missionaries
(1981b: 78–79)………………………………………………………………………………………….. 71
Bille of Kranket, Interviewed in 1978 (1980b: 90 ff) ………………………………….. 71
Gabud and Nadaig—Kranket informants, 16th January 1979
(1980b:104)……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 72
Bashan of Bilia. The German Company and the effect on canoe
making (1980b: 69–70)……………………………………………………………………………… 72
Effect of the Lutheran Mission on the culture ………………………………………………… 75
Bashan of Bilia Village (1980b:71) …………………………………………………………….. 75
Kasare of Yabob (1981a: 33 & 48–49)……………………………………………………….. 75
Los of Kranket Island (1980b: 115)…………………………………………………………… 76
Baio from Ohoro Village (near Gogol Bridge, M. Mennis)
(1981b; 74)………………………………………………………………………………………………… 76
12. THE CHINESE IN MADANG 81
Ber of Yabob……………………………………………………………………………………………… 81
Bashan of Bilia village and the Chinese workers (1980b:80)………………………. 82
Bashan—Chinese workers (1980b: 84 ff)…………………………………………………… 84
The Chinese boats (1980b: 107) ………………………………………………………………… 85
Maia of Bilbil—Chinese workers, 27th February 1976 (1981a: 89) ……………… 85
Pall Tagri of Bilbil—The German times and the Chinese workers
(1981b: 30)………………………………………………………………………………………………… 86
Pall of Bilbil (Vol. VIII Number 1 1980) ……………………………………………………. 89
Pall and his father Tagari make a trading trip ……………………………………………. 90
13. 1912 REVOLT & FIRST WORLD WAR 93
Gab of Bilbil Village (1981b: 4)………………………………………………………………….. 95
Derr Mul of Bilbil ……………………………………………………………………………………… 96
Gab of Bilbilt…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 97
Pall Tagari of Bilbil tells the following ……………………………………………………….. 98
Kasare of Yabob ………………………………………………………………………………………… 99
German Report for 1912 (Repeated here for effect)…………………………………. 100
Pall Tagari of Bilbil ………………………………………………………………………………….. 100
Bashan of Bilia Village …………………………………………………………………………….. 101
Maia of Bilbil—The German Times Date of Interview,
27th March 1976 (1981a)………………………………………………………………………….. 102
Maia Awak—German Times, May 15th 1978 (1981a: 100)……………………….. 103
Kasare of Yabob 1912 (1981a: 70–71)………………………………………………………. 104
Sungai of Siar—1912 Revolt (1980b: 40)………………………………………………….. 105
Gurnass Kionsite of Siar Village September 1976…………………………………….. 108
14. THE AUSTRALIAN ADMINISTRATION1914–1943 111
The Australian Times …………………………………………………………………………………… 111
Kasare of Yabob, 8th September 1978 (1981a: 51)……………………………………… 113
Pall Tagari about the death of Bais, a bigman in Bilbi Village…………………… 114
Male of Siar—Interview May 8th, 1976 (1980b: 36)…………………………………… 114
Visit by the Dule of Edinburgh in 1971, Another flag to Siar village ………… 116
15. THE GOLDMINER LUDWIG SCHMIDT (THE ONLY
EUROPEAN TO HAVE BEEN HANGED IN PNG) 119
Maia Awak worked with Schmidt in the 1930s………………………………………… 119
Maia Awak Interview, 27th October 1974 (Oral History
Vol VII Number 5 1979)………………………………………………………………………….. 120
Bulus of Kranket Island …………………………………………………………………………… 123
16. THE 1935 TRADING VOYAGE, THE LAST OF
THE LARGE TRADING TRIPS 127
Bulus of Kranket Island (Mennis, 1979: 50) ………………………………………….130
Testimony 1, Maia …………………………………………………………………………………… 132
Testimony 2, Pall Tagari (25th February 1977)………………………………………….. 133
Testimony 3, Damun of Bilbil………………………………………………………………….. 135
Testimony 4, Derr Mul ……………………………………………………………………………. 137
Baio from Ohoro Village (near Gogol Bridge) (1981b; 74)………………………. 138
Bashan of Bilia Village (1980b: 71) ………………………………………………………….. 139
17. SECOND WORLD WAR (THE PACIFIC WAR) 141
Male of Kranket—on the war (1980b: 36)………………………………………………… 143
Dau of Riwo Village (1980b: 2 ff)…………………………………………………………….. 143
Bille of Kranket Island, Interview 7/7/77 (1980b: 93) ………………………………. 146
Gab of Bilbibl village—The Japanese War, February 1973………………………… 146
Maia Awak of Bilbil (1981a: 72ff) ……………………………………………………………. 147
Informant near Hudini (1981b: 81)…………………………………………………………. 147
Baramut of Dogia Village (1981b: 88)……………………………………………………… 148
Pall Tagari—The Japanese in the war, 17th April 1976 at
Bilbil Village (M. Mennis, 1981b 62)……………………………………………………….. 149
Pall Tagari—The Japanese, 8th July 1978 (1981b: 62)………………………………… 150
Bunara of Amele—September 1978 by Prof Colin De’Ath
(1981b: 71)………………………………………………………………………………………………. 151
Pall Tagari of Bilbil Village, February 1976 (1981b: 61–65,
M. Mennis)……………………………………………………………………………………………… 153
Gab of Bilbil—The Japanese War, February 1973.
(1981b: 1, M. Mennis)……………………………………………………………………………… 154
Anan of Od Village Interviewer, September 1978
(1981b: 69, M. Mennis)……………………………………………………………………………. 155
18. MADANG AFTER THE WAR 159
A Lutheran missionary returns in 1945 …………………………………………………… 159
Tomasin of Kranket Island, 14 Januay 1978……………………………………………… 161
Imso Kau (1981b: 91)………………………………………………………………………………. 161
Derr Mul—After the War, 27th June 1978 (1981b: 35)………………………………. 161
Bashan of Bilia village, October 1978 (1980b: 87) ……………………………………. 164
Bunara of Amele interview with Prof Colin De’ath,
September 28, 1978 …………………………………………………………………………………. 166
Pall Tagari of Madang Town, November 1978
(1981b: 66, M. Mennis)……………………………………………………………………………. 167
Judge Phillips and the Land Problem ………………………………………………………. 172
Pall Tagari of Bilbil Village: ……………………………………………………………………… 172
Derr Mul on Madang………………………………………………………………………………. 173
Gab of Bilbil (1981b; 2)……………………………………………………………………………. 174
Political Changes: Local Government is introduced in the
1960s ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 174
Oscar Tammur, in his article for the special issue on the arts of
the people wrote ……………………………………………………………………………………… 175
Educational Changes in the 1960s …………………………………………………………… 178
Development in Madang. …………………………………………………………………………….. 178
Economic Development in the 1960s and 1970s ……………………………………… 178
Beautiful Madang has many hotels………………………………………………………….. 182
19. TESTIMONIES ABOUT CARGO CULTS 185
Yali, the cargo cultist……………………………………………………………………………….. 190
Bek Chairman of the Dabsau Association, at Kauris village
in November 1978 (1980b: 49)………………………………………………………………… 193
Imso Kau of Orinma (1981b: 90)…………………………………………………………….. 194
Puan of Umuin Village (1981: 85)……………………………………………………………. 195
20. THE LALONG CANOE, 1978 199
Sir Michael Somare, 1979………………………………………………………………………… 199
Tabah Silau, Manager of the Madang Museum………………………………………… 199
Trading canoes in Madang………………………………………………………………………. 200
Bashan of Bilia—on the Lalong canoe in 1978 (1980b: 69–70) ………………… 201
Derr Mul of Bilbil Village spoke of the four different types
of Bel canoes……………………………………………………………………………………………. 202
Gab Kumei………………………………………………………………………………………………. 203
Maia Awak………………………………………………………………………………………………. 203
Derr Mul…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 203
Pall Tagari……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 204
Damun Maklai………………………………………………………………………………………… 204
Information about the trading canoes……………………………………………………… 204
Tomasin of Kranket Island, 14 January 1978……………………………………………. 206
Interview with Derr on the beach near the hull with M. Mennis……………… 209
The outrigger (sam) was added 8th August 1978 ………………………………………. 213
The Mast goes up, 7th September 1978……………………………………………………… 214
Damun Maklai (Tape 80; Vol VIII No 1: 112)…………………………………………. 216
21. TESTIMONIES ABOUT MADANG POTTERY 217
Pot making in Bilbil Village …………………………………………………………………….. 217
Yabob Village…………………………………………………………………………………………… 219
Gabar, Yeyeg’s daughter, added her own views…………………………………………. 219
Prof Colin De’Ath ……………………………………………………………………………………. 221
Komon Paigum blamed the JANT bulldozers for destroying
the clay deposits:……………………………………………………………………………………… 223
The Rai Coast (Mennis, 1994) …………………………………………………………………. 225
North Coast…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 226
John Dunbar of Moro Village Interview with M. Mennis 1994………………… 228
Steven Mirgam of Korak Village………………………………………………………………. 229
Paul Kaing of Korak Village 1994…………………………………………………………….. 229
Martin Kalamin Sugor…………………………………………………………………………….. 232
Martin Kalamin Interview, 1994 ……………………………………………………………… 234
Lynette of Baiteta …………………………………………………………………………………….. 235
Antonio of Baiteta (who is about 85 years, old told us about
the pots)………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 236
Bosman, near Kayan on the Ramu River…………………………………………………. 237
22. THE MADANG MUSEUM AND VISITORS BUREAU 241
The Madang Provincial Cultural Council ………………………………………………… 241
Displays in the Museum ………………………………………………………………………………. 243
Weapons and Tools …………………………………………………………………………………. 243
Clothing and ornaments………………………………………………………………………….. 245
Musical instruments………………………………………………………………………………… 248
Domestic goods………………………………………………………………………………………. 250
23. ARCHAEOLOGY IN MADANG IN 2014 251
Malmal Village (9th June 2014) ………………………………………………………………… 252
The dig on Bilbil Island……………………………………………………………………………. 253
PART C
24. INTRODUCTION TO THE MOTU TRADERS 261
Lealea Village ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 264
Pari Village ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 264
Hiri Voyages by Pari Village between 1932 and 1941……………………………….. 266
Winds and use of Landmarks………………………………………………………………….. 268
Comparing the Bel canoes on the north coast with the Motu ………………….. 269
The Motu People of Port Moresby and the Bel of Madang……………………….. 270
25. TRADING MYTHS OF THE MOTU 273
The myth of Taurama and Kiaure…………………………………………………………….. 274
The Story of Edai Siabo……………………………………………………………………………. 277
26. CONSTRUCTION OF THE LAKATOI 287
The Hulls…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 288
The Platform……………………………………………………………………………………………. 289
The Shelters Built on the Platform …………………………………………………………… 291
The Mast …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 292
Observation of the scene on 9th August 1995, 9.50 at Nelly Beach. …………… 297
The Paddles and Anchors………………………………………………………………………… 301
Decorations and Totems………………………………………………………………………….. 302
Symbol of Family Life ……………………………………………………………………………… 303
Prestige……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 304
Reasons for the Hiri…………………………………………………………………………………. 304
The Hehona Song ……………………………………………………………………………………. 305
The Crew at Sea and their Rituals ……………………………………………………………. 306
Dangers at Sea…………………………………………………………………………………………. 306
Four sections of Gulf Villages………………………………………………………………….. 307
James Chalmers (Tamate) and a Dangerous Hiri……………………………………… 308
Description of a Hiri by Murray Groves 1950s…………………………………………. 310
Conclusions on the Hiri…………………………………………………………………………… 315
27. MOTU MARINERS IN 1995 317
Audi Rei was about 60 years old and went on Hiri trips
(8th August 1995)……………………………………………………………………………………………..318
Comment on this interview…………………………………………………………………….. 319
Veri Kari of Bogabada Clan, Lealea Village, 9th August 1995
(On the beach at Nelly Bay on Magnetic Island Queensland.
Translator Rausi) …………………………………………………………………………………….. 319
Mataio Taboro Pari Interviewed, 1995 …………………………………………………….. 323
Taboro Nou of Pari Village, 7th August 1995, Father of Mataio
Taboro…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 324
Tau Boha of Lealea, 7th August 1995—Nelly Bay on Magnetic
Island………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 326
Analysis of Interviews……………………………………………………………………………… 329
28. MOTU POTTERY IN PAPUA—THE ROLE OF WOMEN 333
Myth about the First Pot………………………………………………………………………….. 333
Interview with Two Motu Women about Pots ………………………………………………. 338
The women at Nelly Bay ………………………………………………………………………….. 338
Cooking a Mumu by the Pari and Lealea women at Nelly Bay
(Saturday 12th August 1995. 9.00–9.10)…………………………………………………………..340
Tattoos for women whose husbands had been on a Hiri ………………………….. 341
Spectacular Lakatoi launch in Townsville 1995 …………………………………………….. 343
Significance of the Nelly Bay Project, August 1995 ………………………………….. 343
Townsville Bulletin, August 1995…………………………………………………………….. 346
History comes to Life as Lakatoi Land on our Strand—Townsville
Bulletin……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 346
GLOSSARY …………………………………………………………………. 347
BIBLIOGRAPHY ………………………………………………………….. 351