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

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Journal of Matthew Stirling
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August 9, 1926 : Motor Camp ; Rouffaer River


August 9

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"The Dyaks launched a new small canoe this morning with an elaborately carved head on either end..."
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This morning we found that the water had taken a big drop during the night and was back once more to an inch or so below the banks. The camp site[,] instead of presenting a water vista[,] is now a sea of mud. The Dyaks launched a new small canoe this morning with an elaborately carved head on either end, like a two headed dragon, and we were treated to a race between the three "prow cuchil" [sic]. Dick took some movies of it. During the day the water continued to drop rapidly so that tomorrow we plan to start on the transport upstream. Posthumous, Le Roux, Van Leeuwen and I will go. Le Roux and I will continue on into the mountains and Van Leeuwen will remain at Head Camp. Stan and Dick are scheduled to follow about a month later. In the meantime they will take a canoe and four Dyaks and work with the Papuans on the Rouffaer. {p. 207}




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