"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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November 2, 1926 : Explorators Camp/Tombe Village


Tuesday
November 2
1926

Another rainy morning which appears as though the rainy {F4.82} season is about to set in. It cleared shortly after noon after raining all morning. Not so good. At about two o’clock there was a great commotion in the village and it continued for some time. Evidently some new tribe had arrived and they were not being so enthusiastically received. The few who were hanging around camp departed hurriedly to see what the excitement was all about. We learned later a dozen or more chaps from Imba arrived all dressed up in there [sic] best. The argument evidently was settled without difficulties for the Tombe men were with them. A rather strained atmosphere could be detected. Igoone told us that the new chaps who were all of small stature, more so than any other tribe which had been here, were from Towasi but the chaps themselves insisted they were from Imba. They wanted a demonstratioin of shooting and Dick favored them by demonstrating the colt automatic. One of the small chaps insisted on dropping to the ground and hiding his face in his hands every time Dick pulled the trigger. The others ran away the first time but gradually became accustomed to it. Igoone was anxious to try it and Dick let him shoot it once. He got it all ready and then handed it over to Igoone who held it up with one hand and pointed the other right in front of the muzzle as he pointed to the tree he was going to aim and fire at. Everybody thought he was going to blow a finger off but he didn’t and shot and hit the tree although higher than the place he had aimed. It was not a dangerous weapon to him for some reason and he didn’t seem to get a thrill out of firing it but took it as a matter of fact. The pygmy who was so scared insisted on falling to the ground and by this time the others laughed at his actions. Dick[,] on returning to the house[,] pointed his finger at him and made a clicking noise with his mouth and the chap almost jumped out of his black skin which brought a big laugh from his companions. He was just a boy. Leroux shot some pictures of them and when he finished they lined up to trade. {F4.83} They are trading with Matt as I write this. Matt sits on a high seat opposite me and in front of him is piled up the colorful ornaments and other possessions. One by one they approach and hand over a head dress, net bag, lime container, penis shell, neck ornament or what not. Matt inspects it critically and after a short inspection passes over the amount of cowries which is the market value he has established. They take it and offer something else. When one has finished another steps forward and as fast as Matt handles the articles another steps up with more. They say not a word nor look at the cowries. Their material is excellent also. One just handed over an extraordinarily large potato which would take a prize at a state fair. It was a foot long and about six inches in diameter. They are trading fast and so far not one has rejected an offer. They are pleasant folks and more uniform in size than any we have seen. Another bag is offered[;] it is beautifully colored with yellow and orchid bark which is woven into the bag in an ingenious fashion. The chap is pleased with the four large cowries Matt hands him and smiles a pleasant smile. Next come a large bunch of well carved arrows, which is followed by a small boy offering his penis case holder. He too is pleased with his not so large cowrie. After the trading they make presents to Matt and then sit around in groups showing each other their wealth. They examine the cowries minutely and talk back and forth excitedly. Matt starts to pack away the excellent material he has obtained and another smiling faced chap helps him out by putting the smaller articles in a big bag. He collects the arrows and bows and puts them together in a neat bundle. They still have more and a large string of black beads made from seeds. It is an excellent string. Then comes a sharp stone knife. As Matt takes out a handful of good cowries to select a few from, their eyes open with amazement and a few tap their penis cases. I wonder what they would do if they {F4.84} saw the large tin which is full of them. Probably whould [sic] make a good picture. They watch his every move and when the beads or cowries come out they all lean closer to see what the article is going to bring. It is interesting to watch the expression on their faces when Matt hands out the number for the article. They remain mationless [sic] until he decides and then their eyes shine with pleasure and they tap their penis cases.




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