"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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September 18, 1926 : Explorators Camp/Tombe Village


September 18

This morning Towanlian returned with the sick Dyak. He has malaria. Some more new visitors arrived from a distant village on the other side of the river. This place has become a mecca and Igoon is now a person of consequence. I notice the clusters of cuscus tails he wears are increasing in size at a great rate. I think these are a sort of currency with them and probably represent payment for board and lodging. This morning, the Agintawa chief appeared smooth shaven, emulating my example.




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