Tribesmen With
p. 167 · Read in the full issue
Discovery in Papua
Biblical Aspect
MORE hitherto-unknown tribesmen have been discovered by a reconnaissance patrol exploring new country in Papua, stated a report leleased at Canberra on August 2. [ The men are bearded and wear wigs of human hair which make them look like Biblical figures. (The Biblical effect is presumably [Unfinished by the fact that the tribemen’s noses are pierced). They use very primitive stone axes.
I The names of these people is Duna.
I The patrol, comprising two Europeans, 12 native policemen, three interpreters and about 50 larriers, took 62 days to explore ;he new area, which is in the Bugged Highland country north pest of Tari. [The Duna people are described wpical mountain dwellers short pd sturdy, with big chests and
pighs.
I Although continual tribal fighting fccurs in the area, few armed farriors were seen by the patrol IThe report stated: “The Duna [ght with the bow and arrow, and bme of the arows terminate in teedle-like points ringed round [ith a shallow cut to ensure that hey break off in the wound, fthers have sharp teeth cut into he sides. [“Perhaps the most dangerous type a an arrow tipped with a broad bmboo blade sharpened on both Wes and usually about 6 in long, [his is a very efficient killing Istrument.” [The Duna people are not
pnibals.
[The patrol also visited the |vam Valley, which was labelled Bhangri-La” when it was dis pvered not long ago. This time ae people were on guard because [ a rumour that the Government 'as supporting their enemies, but were no complications. )NE of the biggest Native Affairs patrols to leave Port Moresby [ in post-war years set out early July for the Upper Tauri to £ke contact with the Kukukuku, bo attacked a New Guinea esources survey team in the area
[June.
The patrol comprised ten Uropeans and ten native police men, with a line of carriers.
It was expected that they would away about two months, and [is possible that the patrol will pain with the survey team while is in the area.
The patrol left Fort Moresby by )at, but had to walk into the ukukuku country from the coast.
Kukukuku stealth and fearless ness are well known to Native Affairs officers who have patrolled the area, and the deputy head of the department, Mr. J. K. McCarthy, still bears the mark of a Kukukuku arrow.
Mr. McCarthy told PIM he was confident that the patrol would make peaceful contact. It was thought that only a small band had attacked the Development Survey team, and the patrol was confident it would find them on the mountain side of the range separating Papua and New Guinea.