THE DOBUAXS OF S.E. PAPUA. 479 



All prisoners captured or bodies slain by the standard-bearer were 

 handed over to his wife's relatives, or to the family which had lost 

 one of its members in a former raid on the places just visited. If 

 anyone else had captured or killed an enemy the prisoner or body 

 would be handed over to the standard-bearer for his family, or to be 

 given to anyone he wished. 



The To-Unua (capturer or slayer) was not allowed to eat of the 

 To-Esilai (capture<:l or slain). 



The Mebu (revenge- victim) would be tortured much worse than a 

 prisoner captured from a tribe which had not ever killed a Dobuan 

 of the "Edugaula tribe. 



The female relatives of the one Avhom the warriors had avenged 

 would join in beating the revenge-victim with yams, spears, and clubs. 

 The prisoner would be tied with his wrists on his knees, and carried as 

 a pig with a stick under the armpits. He would be placed on a fire 

 alive, bvft, unless they wished to be very cruel, half-stunned, the blood 

 pouring out of the wounds made by those beating or hacking at the 

 piisoner would be gathered in a cup and drunk, or eaten with cooked 

 yam. 



Some men grew so fond of cannibalism that when themselves 

 unable to seek victims they would constantly pester their relatives to 

 procure them human flesh. 



All the people were not cannibals. Abstainers had a special name 

 — Ligodi. 



If the warriors should return unsuccessful, or one of their number 

 should be slain, the standard-bearer would suffer by having his village 

 attacked, and one or more of his houses burnt. The women, too, 

 would refuse to sweep the villages, or cook good food, and would tie 

 their grass skirts between their legs to resemble the man's T dresses, 

 as a sign of displeasure. 



Prisoners not killed were adopted as substitutes for deceased 

 relatives, and were treated and loved as if real relatives — all the laws 

 of the tribe being binding on them, even to that of exogamy. 



A veiy intei'esting ceremony was performed on any boy who by 

 Lis appearance gave promise of growing up to be a strong man. The 

 little chap would be thrown into the sea when very young, and hauled 

 out by his right hand. This wotdd be repeated until he became 

 thoroughly passionate. Later a special cocoanut shell filled with 

 water would be charmed and broken over the boy's head with a stone, 

 this baptism making him angry and without fear. He would be 

 encouraged to tise small spears which would be left in his way, so 

 that any time his will was crossed he would rush at anyone who 

 happened to be near, and even spear his own mother on the slightest 

 provocation. Should his mother or anyone else be speared by the 

 embryo warrior, it would be said, '""What, was he angry without 

 cause? Did they not charm water, and pour it over his headf 



BETROTHAL, MARRIAGE, DIVORCE. 



The customs connected with betrothal, maniage, and divorce are 

 so many and so complicated that a long paper could be written about 

 tJiem. 



A few facts may be given. 



