ACCOUNTS OF FIGHTING AND CANNIBALISM IN EASTERN NEW GUINEA DURING THE MISSIONARY CONTACT PERIOD, 1877-1888, AS TOLD TO CHARLES ABEL

Authors

David Wetherell, Deakin UniversityFollow

Abstract

Field notes by missionary Charles W. Abel of the London Missionary Society, contained in two little-known handwritten documents, describe traditional warfare customs, including treatment of captives and cannibalism among the peoples of the Milne Bay/China Strait region of southeastern New Guinea, as told to him by Paulo Dilomi and other informants. The editor transcribes these notes here and theorizes that Abel's knowledge of these activities provides context for the missionary's derogatory attitude toward the "savage" Papuan, in contrast to the perspectives of later observers including other missionaries and anthropologist Bronislaw Malinowski.

Recommended Citation

Wetherell, David (2003) "ACCOUNTS OF FIGHTING AND CANNIBALISM IN EASTERN NEW GUINEA DURING THE MISSIONARY CONTACT PERIOD, 1877-1888, AS TOLD TO CHARLES ABEL," Pacific Studies Journal: Vol. 26: No. 1, Article 2.
Available at: https://digitalcollections.byuh.edu/pacific-studies-journal/vol26/iss1/2