Loin-Cloth Land

On the opposite side of the globe from Ireland, off New Guinea in the Bismarck Archipelago, lies New Ireland. Last year the New Irishmen--black-skinned, woolly-haired, bug-eyed--saw a sight they had never seen before: a young white woman. They envied her mightily because, while they had only loincloths, she wore a bright red dress. Her chief reaction to them, though as recently as 30 years ago they were cannibals, was curiosity. For she was Dr. Hortense Powdermaker, anthropologist. Soon she made herself popular, by the U. S. political trick of baby-kissing and by getting herself adopted into the tribe. She stayed ten months. Her only traveling companion was a fox terrier, her only equipment a revolver, a first-aid kit, 25 Ibs. of staple groceries, gifts of tobacco, tinsel, toy balloons, with which she had small difficulty in winning her way among New Irelanders.

Last week, back in Manhattan, she reported to her clothed, monogamous, scientific fellow Caucasians on the naked superstitious, polygamous and polyandrous New Irishmen. Shocking to vegetarians were her tales of petty island wars of which she said : "The causes of these wars generally were women and pigs. If a neighboring tribe would steal . . . there would be a war. The older natives refer to them as 'The good old days.' Only fallen enemies would be eaten as delicacy prevented consumption of friends."

Concerning family life in New Ireland: "The selection of a mate is a simplified matter. . . . The young swain (usually about twelve) calls in a love magician . . . [who] casts a spell over the girl. ... If the spell works the girl comes to the man. ... If it doesn't work no fault is found with the magician's services; it is assumed that some enemy magician in another village is casting an evil spirit over the pair to thwart the match."

A prime New Irish wife costs five yards of shells. The wife may divorce by return ing the shells. "A man can have several wives and a woman may have several hus bands, but polygamy and polyandry can not both occur in the same family. On the other hand it is the accepted social custom that a woman may have lovers and a man mistresses."

Other social customs observed by Dr. Powdermaker: a husband is forbidden to speak to his mother-in-law, mention her in public, enter a room which she occupies. Having no conception of time the New Irishmen's night life is governed solely by the moon. On bright nights they carouse mightily, disport themselves happily. Particularly happy are they when someone dies or is born when the moon is full. Such events are celebrated with feasts which frequently get out of control and last for a month.

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