Thursday
October 7
1926

It rained a little last nite but not as much as we expected for just before dark it looked as tho we were in for a good storm. A beautiful rain bow [sic] was visible directly ahead of us in the mountain peaks where it was raining heavily. Both Tuesday and Wednesday were fine for pictures, no rain in the day and not much at night. We had our sugar cane syrup on our breakfast food this morning and it was great. A few early arrivals from distant villages got Matt out of bed early to trade. They always shout a warning before coming into the village, and do not approach until the head man or some one of his family answers them. The women and children had quite a time rounding up all the pigs last night. Several of the smaller porkers had to be captured by the small boys. His method of attack and capture was unique for the small pigs are fast and impossible to catch by just chasing them. After several unsuccessful attempts he enlisted the aid of another small boy and let him jockey him around while he sat by watching. He remained behind the pig and when the pig watched the other he crept up behind him and made a flying football tackle at his hind legs attacking and holding on with a Red Grange tecnique [sic]. This soon had the two little pigs who wanted to russle [sic] more food perhaps, soon in the houses and to bed. The larger ones are more obedient and hop into the house on call of the women. Despite all the kicks and beatings they get at the dinner table the dogs and pigs are very much attached to the pygmies. The little porkers follow the children and women around constantly and the children play with them. One little porker followed the women as they departed for the fields for their daily labor despite their efforts to discourage {F4.12} him on their part. They carry their babies on a huge net bag with the strap over their heads. The children seem to rest quite comfortably in this position all day as they work in the fields. The houses are more substantially made than those of the Papuans of the lake plain and the entrance is much lower being but a foot and a half from the ground. As one enters one goes to the right thru a narrow passage which has a small window[;] it is at 10 inches high and 4 inches wide. Inside is very plain with a fire burning in the center. There [sic, = They] are all about the same size[,] 10 by 8 or so[,] and the roofs are thatched with palms. They have several good sized palms down on either side. The side towards the slopes down [sic] more and is longer while the side towards the gully or ravine, takes off slightly and is half the size. Our host brought us more potatoes and a few pussey marrow [sic, = pisang matang (Malay)] – ripe bananas – for which he refused payment this morning. The small boys and girls just able to toddle all smoke cigarettes as profusely as do their elders. Their tobacco is not half bad but very strong. It is twisted and they grind a little in a dry palm leaf and smoke more leaf than tobacco. They too all make a loud hissing sound as they inhale a deep draft. Matt has a brite [sic] youngster cornered and is getting more words from him this morning. Their language is entirely different from that of the people at Tomenba [sic, = Tombe] but they know the language there also and Matt is getting words by giving the word used at E.C. [Explorators Camp] and getting it here. They all seem to understand the other villages[’] lingo as well as their own. They value the tobacco highly and have it all wrapped in a sausage shape. In fact the wrapping is not unlike the way different foreign sausages are wrapped. It reminded me of some of A’s brands and from the outside one couldn’t tell the difference. The head man has disappeared since early this morning and has not shown himself all day. We had more pig for lunch with sweet potatoes. Several new women appeared {F4.13} and Matt measured them. They certainly are coy and bashful. Holding their hands to their mouths [they] grin and wiggle around as he puts the measuring instruments to their faces. Traded all morning and got good collection. If it continues it will be a problem on how to get it back with the carriers we have. The pygmies brot us 4 more ripe bananas this morning. The secret trades and conferences continued today. They sure plan what to trade and how to trade it before approaching the open market which is Matt. Some are schemers and haggle but on the whole they know the market Matt has established and trade accordingly. As I write they evidence great interest in the pencil and when I erase they tap their penis cases in unison and shake their heads. We are probably more interesting to them than they are to us. Dick loading the camera always has an interested audience around him. Many new children are around today. It rained early in [the] afternoon and spoiled our movie taking some. We can’t complain however, for we’ve had 2 good days for pictures. Doc took a trip around to several villages nearby and [was] led by a small boy who conducted himself like a regular tourist guide. Whenever he came to a point of interest he stopped and gave a long speel [sic] about it. Matt returned with several stone axes and many personal ornaments all of which were carried by the youngster in his huge bag. He was amply rewarded by Doc with a large handful of bright red beads. During the rain of the afternoon and early evening the pygmies visited with us. The children especially enjoyed themselves. Several of the youngsters are brite and very likeable. The old chap – head man – his name is Phooteevee, appeared on the scene but didn’t say anything. Evidently he turned this day over to his neighbors for he wasn[’]t present all day to influence or oversee the trading operations as he has been doing since we arrived. He did hold several secret conferences with the leader of the other village behind his house {F4.14} on his return, but as usual we are in the dark as to what it is all about. They built their regular fireless cooker oven again last evening but had no pig so ate the greens and sweet potatoes. It rained not so heavy early evening and they all retired into the houses. The men into the men[’]s house with the children and the women and babies into the women[’]s house. We [sic, = They] were awake most of the nite talking. I awoke at 2 and they were still talking and laughing among themselves. Evidently talking over the trade events of the day and comparing their wealth. The head man will be the Rockefeller of this district. All are anxious to have us move and the old boy is tickled pink that we stay. He has his big parang in his hand all day long and chops at everything in sight like a small boy with a new ax. This is our 3rd nite here and we have enjoyed every minute of it. Every minute is interesting. They walked about a good bit tonite carrying torches. In the houses they use a gun [sic, = gum] copal[,] a rosin substance. A few new comers late in the afternoon were rather sturdy fellows and well built. They measure around 56x.