PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION F. 309 
of the people came to bring it, when the same scene was enacted. 
It seemed to me that during the course of the negotiations the 
number of people killed on either side had been ascertained, 
and money was paid as satisfaction for them. According to 
this curious arrangement, the party which had killed the most 
of the enemy would have to pay the most money when peace 
was declared, as payment was made for each man killed. A 
day or two afterwards the peace was confirmed. They had paid 
for each other’s losses, and so the way for complete reconcilia- 
tion was now clear. The Outam people came to the meeting 
place, though they still appeared to be somewhat suspicious. 
The usual bumping ceremony, of which I am unable to explain 
the meaning, took place. Large quantities of food were brought 
by the Outam people, and placed in the centre of the ground. 
A similar quantity was brought by the Kinawanua people, and 
placed near it. Both parties then advanced simultaneously, 
brandishing spears, shouting, yelling, and mixing with each 
other, circled round for food. The Outam people then ate the 
food prepared by the Kinawanua, and the Kinawanua people ate 
that which was prepared by Outam. This was the greatest 
proof that peace was made, and that they trusted in the bona 
fides of each other. They are always very much afraid of witch- 
craft, and the fact of their eating food their late enemies had 
prepared was the greatest proof of confidence. During the pro- 
gress of the ceremonies, several other symbolic actions were 
used, such, for instance, as a man rushing up to another, pre- 
tending to dart a spear at him, but instead of doing this, stick- 
ing it into the ground in front of the mau, leaving it with him, 
and going away from him unarmed. Another was that of a man 
pretending to dart a spear at another one, but, instead of doing 
so, he placed his foot upon it, and broke the point off. During 
the whole time of my residence in the group, the peace thus 
made was never broken. 
A PEcuULIAR CUSTOM. 
The Dukduk institution has been already described, but I 
have not yet seen any mention made of the following custom, 
which I repeatedly noticed in the early days. The first time I 
Saw it was at a grand celebration of Dukduk ceremonies. The 
five men who on this occasion represented the Dukduk were 
each clothed in a heavy girdle, or, rather, a number of rings 
or girdles of leaves, which rustle as the Dukduk jumps and 
dances, and so add very considerably to the effect. The head- 
dress is a large mask of sugar-loaf shape, which also covers the 
shoulders of the figure. This mask is made of light wicker 
work, and is painted black or red, and ornamented with feathers. 
&c. One of these masked figures is heard crying out in the 
bush, and then the wooden drum is beat, and soon the Dukduk 
