406 
COMPENDIUM OF GEOGRAPHY AND TRAVEL 
of a future state are widely held, and the next world 
believed by some tribes to be beneath the earth, by 
others above the clouds. Very curious are the strict 
rules of tabu existing in some parts; in some cases these 
correspond almost exactly with forms of hlonipa among 
the Zulus; thus, for example, the bride and her near 
relations must avoid the sight of the bridegroom and his 
people until the marriage. Feasts are celebrated on 
various occasions, such as marriages, burials, and the 
like, and are accompanied by singing and dancing. 
Dancing is, in fact, a leading feature in Papuan life ; it 
is frequently indulged in two or three days, or rather 
nights, in succession, and barns are sometimes especially 
built for this amusement on the occasion of great feasts. « 
Cannibalism, though not a general custom, exists in 
many parts; the Karons of the north-west indulge in 
the practice, and it is not uncommon among the tribes of 
the Gulf of Papua. 
Foremost among the characteristics of the Papuan 
are his love of decoration and his sense of form, the 
latter of which is specially shown in his aptitude for 
carving. While the West African exhibits an almost 
entire want of proportion in his work, together with 
crudeness of design and lack of finish, the carving of the 
Papuan—especially when it is remembered that it is 
most frequently executed without iron tools—is singu¬ 
larly good both in plan and execution. The pillows or 
head-rests, formed of two conventional monsters placed 
back to back and supporting the scroll-work upon which 
the smooth semi-lunar bar rests, are remarkably good in 
design, and no two are ever alike. Scroll-work is much 
used, the korowaar figures being usually carved with a 
hand resting upon a shield of this nature. The praus 
also are frequently adorned with a figure-head of fret- 
