3 



iS G. A. J. VAN DER SANDE. 



pièce of sugar cane out of gratitude. MACGREGOR [1897, 36] also states that Papuans do not 

 give présents, and if so they expect or ask far more than an équivalent in return. This 

 indeed is their stand-point with regard to Europeans, who in the eyes of the natives are 

 loaded with désirable objects. A man of Tobâdi, however, who had treated me very imper- 

 tinently and who had been reproved for this by the magistrate, argued that I had misunder- 

 stood his behaviour and some days later on offered me some of his ornamented arrows ; after 

 that we were on a good footing. 



J o y and sorro w are freely expressed, especially by the coast people. Tears of 

 grief are not rare. When taking leave they not infrequently weep (see p. 276 and PRATT 

 [1906, 278]); on the S. W. coast the women cried loudly every evening when the visitors 

 returned to the ship (MùLLER [1857, 79]); however, the same thing happened when a pig 

 that had been sold, was taken on board [1. c, j6\. 



When quarrels take place disputes arise, in which words are not spared, as I 

 witnessed with the Tobâdi people, especially with the women (see also LAWES [1880, 608]). 

 Instances are known where anger lias led to sudden murder, also to suicide. 



The gesture of astonishment often consists in bringing the hand to the mouth, 

 and laughing at the same time (see also PRATT [1906, 145]), as the woman standing in the 

 middle of fig. 170. FlNSCH [1888, 321] saw how the index or [1. c, 131] the thumb 

 (see also Chalmers [1885, 92]) was taken between the teeth, whilst the other hand 

 struck the belly. When hearing their own songs from the phonograph, young men of Tobâdi 

 suddenly brought the back part of the left hand to the mouth, the first joint of the bent 

 index horizontally between the incisors, whilst some of them turned round on one heel and 

 with the right hand struck the hip on that side (see also MOSELEY [1S79, 440]). HADDON 

 [1901, 246] mentions sucking and clicking noises with the lips (also observed on Lake Sentâni) 

 and flicking the teeth with the thumb nail. 



Generally it is not difficult to gain the confidence of the Papuans. One should act 

 in every thing calmly, honestly, and adhère firmly to agreements, may they be ever so 

 trifling; once their confidence is gained they are hospitable (see also Pratt [1906, 329]). 

 With maie European visitors, the Papuan women often keep in the background, in the 

 villages of Abâr and Poë, however, they were obtrusive. 



Cases of dishonesty and theft towards visitors (LAWES [1880, 613] states: "ail 

 are thieves!") generally refer to métal objects and must be judged leniently, as thèse things 

 strongly excite cupidity. Thus I was robbed by a man of Ajâpo of a pocket knife, which 

 was lying on a table between pencils and rulers. The honesty of our Papuan carriers was, 

 however, in favourable contrast with that of the Malay coolies, who preferred silver' objects. 



Breach of promise is another grievance brought against the Papuans and the 

 expédition experienced more than once great difficulties through this. The causes cannot, 

 however, be always rightly judged, from want of knowledge of the language and disposition 

 of mind. The murder of officiais, missionaries or traders, on Netherl. territory is very excepti- 

 onal, and is generally an act of revenge on account of a real or supposed infringement 

 of existing rights. 



ATLEE HUXT [1905, 8] déclares that it is altogether a mistake to regard the 

 natives of New Guinea as amongst the lowest class of savages, and in this I agrée with him. 



