the Fighting
p. 31 · Read in the full issue
Where the Ladies Do the Fighting
Noumea, July 11.
NATIVE women of the tribe of Ta wained, on Mare (Loyalty Group) have taken to fighting one another, using anything from fists to knives and kitchen utensils. Those men whom the war has not drawn away to New Cale donia, on the other hand, are peaceful citizens.
The tendency of Loyalty Island women to fight among themselves was noted last year by US Army medico, Major John M. Cotton, during a goodwill visit to the group. He wrote: “The only fight ing I could find was among the women.
I saw the result in broken bones and other injuries. There are not at present enough men to go round, as so many have joined the forces in New Caledonia or are working in Noumea for the US Army. So the women have become rather jealous of one another. Actually, the family organisation is pretty tight, man, wife and children sticking together, although marital infidelity is not taken over-seriously.”