Some Peculiar Papuan Customs, 



By Miss L. S. G-ibbs. 



In 1913. in the course of Phytogeographical work at about 7 to 

 8,000 ft. in the Arfak Mountains, of Dutch X. W. Xew Guinea, 

 my carriers, both men and women, were drawn chiefly from the 

 Wariap and Start, small " cam] tongs "* on the S. W. coast of 

 Geelvixk Bay. 



While on the March these people collected the leaves of 

 Laportea or Fleurya, sp., tying them neatly into bundles. As 

 soon as climbing began they constantly rubbed these leaves on 

 forearms and legs to the knees with great zest and evident enjoy- 

 ment. On another occasion during the ascent, the grandson of the 

 ** Koeaxo " or headman of Wabiap. a most active and intelligent 

 young fellow, stood stoically while the skin of his calves was 

 sliced in spirals, deep enough to let blood flow freely from each 

 cut. This operation was performed by the Malay, or rather Timo- 

 rese, sergeant (in charge of the escort kindly provided by the Dutch 

 authorities) who thoughtfully explained beforehand what was about 

 to happen. Beyond the fact that it was a peculiarity of the 

 " Papuas " to suiter in the head. I unfortunately did not gather 

 the further drift of his remarks. 



On the return journey, a young woman of Stari was brought 

 up as " sakit prut " and given a good dose of Glauber's Salts. She 

 appeared next morning to thank me for her recover)' — her fore- 

 arms and legs to the knees thickly smeared with faeces and accom- 

 panied by several companions similarly treated. 



It would be interesting if readers of the " Asiatic Journal " 

 could parallel similar instances amongst other native tribes, or 

 possibly those ethnologically conversant with the customs of primi- 

 tive peoples may be able to elucidate these examples. 



Appexdix I. 



I have read with interest Miss Gibbs' note on " Some peculiar 

 Papuan Customs" and amongst them I have noticed a Papuan 

 Custom which corresponds with much similarity to a custom of the 

 Arawaks and Macusi Indians of British Guiana. 



During several surveying journeys in that Colony, I have 

 noticed that when on long journeys especially if carrying heavy 

 baggage, the natives have often rubbed themselves with a kind of 



Jour. Straits Branch R. A. Soc. ? Xo. 79. 



