Fifty Years Ago Today - Bridges

Wednesday, November 13, 1963

We are walking back from the Rappaports' field location after the kaiko celebrations.  The Kiap road, which is supposed to be maintained by each clan along the Simbai Valley, is in rather bad repair. Several bridges are out.  

 I do not find it pleasant to inch my way over a log or  to leap from boulder to boulder.  

We are always glad when we can cross a good bridge.  

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Fifty Years Ago Today - KAIKO

Saturday, November 9, 1963

Kaiko today!  It is the culmination of the Tsembaga clan ritual cycle that started almost two decades ago.  Guests from other clans are pouring into the tiny hamlet of Dikai and moving up onto the singsing ground above Roy and Ann Rappaport's house, where we spent the night. We all go out early in the day to record with notes, photographs and 16 mm. film as much as we can of this important occasion.

The dance ground, cleared and leveled from the side of a steep hill,  is filled with visitors from allied clans. I keep to the edges, as do the small boys - trying to see as much as possible while keeping out of the way.

Once the massed dancing and drumming begins, I switch to color film.

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Fifty Years Ago Today - Pigs for the Ancestors

Friday, November 8, 1963

Numengump Ritual Grove, Simbai Valley, Papua New Guinea

For a whole year now,  Roy Rappaport has been studying the ritual cycle of the Tsembaga clan. Marek and I have spent a day walking to his field site in Dikai in order to photograph and film the closing rituals of this cycle. 

Today, the pigs that have been raised over the preceding years have been brought to the ritual grove where they are presented to the ancestors with invocations.

Marek films the proceedings and Rappaport takes notes of the details as the pigs are killed and butchered by the men. 

The women are busy cooking, and the children  run around, watching every detail of the action as they play among the busy adults. 

 The pork is destined to be distributed among the Tsembaga's allies who will gather on the next day and receive gifts of meat and fat in recognition of their help in previous battles with enemy clans.

**In future years, as Rappaport worked with what he learned, the ceremonies of this day and the next provided keys to an understanding of Maring culture as a whole**

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Fifty Years Ago Today - The beloved outsider

Tuesday, November 5, 1963

Walking along the path through Koinambe, Marek and I came across Maia and several of the smaller boys.  They leaped into his arms - simultaneously joyous and teasing. 

 He put them down gently.

Nearby women chuckled and the smaller children looked on.  Were they envious?

Rungwa, Maia's little sister, turned to look at me as I was taking one of the photos.

We had been living in their area for eight months, so she was not longer afraid or shy. But the nearest she came in direct interaction was the big smile she gave me.

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