Adventures in New Guinea James Chalmers

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When in the boat, we asked the Hula boy why he left us and took to the
boat. He said he had heard some say we should be killed, and that we
would make a fine feast. He did not tell us, because he had not an
opportunity, and was afraid the people might hear him if he told, and so
he would be killed.
A week later a chief from Maopa came with a Kerepunu chief to see me. I
recognised him as the one who kept back the crowd the other day at Aroma,
and opened the way for me to get into the water, and so into the boat. He
says, from our landing in the morning they had determined to kill us, but
the suitable time did not arrive. When we arrived at the place where the
large canoes from Toulon and Daunai were lying, it was there arranged by
the Aroma people and those from the canoes that Aroma should kill us and
have all they could get, and those from the canoes should have the bodies
to eat. He says they kept putting it off, until, finally, it was to be
done when we were at the boat, then they would have boat and all; but he
and two other chiefs arrived just in time. He says it was not revenge,
and, turning to the Kerepunu chief, he said, "You know Aroma from of old,
and how all strangers are killed." I gave him a present, and told him
that I hoped to see him soon.
The inhabitants of the inland villages are probably the aborigines, who
have been driven back to the hills by the robuster race now occupying
their plantations on the coast. Their habits and customs are curious and
interesting. They cook the heads of their slain enemies, to secure clean
skulls to put on sacred places.
They have one great spirit--Palaku Bara, who dwells in the mountains.
They worship him unitedly in one place. Each family has a sacred place,
where they carry offerings to the spirits of deceased ancestors, whom