"By Aeroplane to Pygmyland" Accounts of the 1926 Smithsonian-Dutch Expedition to New Guinea

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Journal of Stanley Hedberg
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October 9, 1926 : Agintawa District


Saturday
October 9
1926

We were up above the clouds when we awoke at 6:00 this morning for the clouds were hanging low in the canyon. It was a beautiful sight with a rugged peak jutting up here and there out of the flaky clouds which were spattered around the mountains like lather. The usual gathering of traders appeared and Matt was surrounded as usual. Our collection is getting very bulky and the Papuans have not failed to notice it repeatedly. The Head Man came to me and explained he had a pain below his ribs and it hurt when he breathed. I suppose they think I could cure it after I illustrated the match trick yesterday. I rubbed it and had him hold the camera trypod [sic] upon which they look with awe because of its collapsing ability. I painted the spot with iodine after I had used it on several scratches on my arm. I illustrated that it would go from him to me pointing to my painted arm and then up in the air. Several tried to dissuade him but when I walked away he came running after me for {F4.21} “treatment”. I then burned the cotton and made a few mysterious signs and told him in 10 nites he would be better. He was pleased and said he had an arrow hit him there during a pig shooting ceremony from what I could gather from his sign language. Dick shot some movies of them expressing surprise at the camera and also close ups showing how the women carried the babies in their net bags one lying in it and an older one standing uprite. It clouded up immediately after lunch and began to rain so it was impossible to take any pictures. We finished our pork and made negotiations for another pig to be brought to us. Today was the really first bad day we have had. The natives have run out of most of their good possessions so it was more difficult to trade with them. They tried every means to put over their bum arrows and other material using the children as a sympathy gag for we have been nice to the children but Matt was not easily fooled. Nothing else to do with it raining we retired to our Klambos and kept dry. Now and then, however, 2 or 3 came behind our lean[-]to to trade with Matt. One old chap[,] a head man from another village[,] after a great deal of whispering and chasing everyone else away but the headman of this village, unwrapped a strange cowrie which he had wrapped in a dozen different methods and showed it to Matt with great enthusiasm. It appeared to me that he wanted several cowries for it or perhaps an appraisal of its worth. It was all v [sic] very secret and amusing. We learned this morning from the Papuans that they had word that our transport was on the way for somewone [sic] had seen them in camp enroute [sic]. They have a good communication system for at 3 in the afternoon Mr. Leroux and 2 Dyaks appeared in the rain. We were all pleased to see them but Phootewee the head man here was not so pleased for some reason. They had some sort of scheme up their sleeves and it was evident they were not pleased with this addition to our forces. Leroux was accompanied by Egoon {F4.22} the Head Man of Tombay and 2 of his men. That is what displeased them evidently for they have been having everything to themselves here and resent his coming. These two tribes are not overly friendly. Matt says Phootewee had visited and lived off Egoon when they first arrived at Ex. Camp for 3 weeks or more. Phootwee gave permission for the Dyaks to cut some timber and Leroux’[s] tent was placed alongside of our lean[-]to and an addition made to the soldiers[’] and convicts[’] lean[-]to to house the new soldier dyaks (2) and carriers. We received a fresh batch of milk, sugar, a little salt, some butter (from Leroux) oatmeal, etc.[,] so our larder is complete. The weather continued bad and the clouds settled in and hid the mountains entirely as we ate dinner. It was a misty[,] rainy afternoon and evening. Egoon and his men were plainly disgusted with the Papuans here and [he] voiced his dislike of the way they had treated us. He said when we arrived at his campong he gave everyone presents and would take nothing for food for it is the custom here evidently to feed newly arrived guests. He also said they had demanded too much and we had given them too much and he was rite according to their custom. He also said they were always asking for something and giving nothing and he pushed his nose with disgust and shame which illustrated his feelings. They are very jealous of each other and take pride in letting the rivals see what they have received from us. Egoon and his 2 men also carried some of Leroux[’s] baggage on the trip here. We are to stay here 3 more days and then return to E.C. the 14th. For some unknown reason they built their fire indoors and ate there tonite. Perhaps we were too many to share in their food with the visitors they have to accomodate [sic]. When we informed Phootewee we would remain with him he cheered up immensely. I offered him some beads for a new supply of potatoes but he wouldn’t take anything but has as yet failed to bring any potatoes. We received several good cucumbers yesterday and they {F4.23} were very good. The natives eat them skin and all with great relish. Leroux was exceedingly nice to us and shared his coco[a,] salt and butter in generous porporations [sic] with us. We returned potatoes and bananas. Just before dark the clouds had entirely enveloped us and we went to sleep with it rainy, misty and cold. Dick says there is a drop of 30 degrees, from 85 in the afternoon to 55 at 3 or 4 in the morning. It sure gets cool in the mornings but we are comfortable with our heavy clothes and blankets.




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