This terrific tour of Papua, New Guinea and Kalabahai, Indonesia, disrespectfully subtitled “Weird Haunts of Strange People” dates to 1933. It includes footage shot in Port Moresby. It was made by James A. Fitzpatrick whose “Travel Talks” series was a mainstay of the newsreel era. This particular print was intended for home use by a family who owned a movie projector. The film introduces Papua and Calah High, emphasizing their resistance to civilization’s influence. Papua, a region of New Guinea governed by Australia, is described with its challenging geography and hostile, primitive inhabitants. Port Moresby, the main landing place, showcases native life. The limited control of white governance is discussed, with natives living in savagery and cannibalism. Papuan villages are self-contained and self-supporting, with cannibalism impacting the male population and polygamy being practiced. Marriage customs include women proposing and exchanging gifts. Women play significant roles in housework, childbearing, and agriculture. Traditional clothing for Papuan girls is described, along with their elaborate head decorations for festive occasions. The influence of foreign missionaries and their challenges with multiple dialects are highlighted, along with the potential positive impact on education and peace. The film transitions to Calah High, describing its strange appearance, superstitious nature, and the influence of witch doctors. Limited European influence and constant war among local petty rajas are noted. Dancing is important in the lives of primitive people, characterized by mass movement and expressionless faces. The future commercialization and civilization of Calah High are speculated. Payment for tribal dances with food from the ship is reminiscent of historical trade. The film reflects on the history of man as a page in the book of evolution and concludes with a farewell to Papua and Calah High, acknowledging their primitive and strange nature.

0:08 – 0:31: Introduction to Papua and Calah High, highlighting their resistance to civilization’s influence.

0:31 – 1:03: Description of Papua, a region of New Guinea governed by Australia, with its challenging geography and hostile, primitive inhabitants.

1:03 – 1:20: Overview of Port Moresby, the main landing place on the coast of Papua, and the native life there.

1:20 – 1:50: Discussion of the limited control of white governance in Papua, with natives living in savagery and cannibalism.

1:50 – 2:02: Description of the self-contained and self-supporting nature of Papuan villages.

2:02 – 2:28: Impact of cannibalism on the male population and the practice of polygamy.

2:28 – 2:50: Marriage customs, including the right of women to propose and the exchange of gifts.

2:50 – 3:09: Role of women in Papuan society, including housework, childbearing, and agricultural labor.

3:09 – 3:17: Description of traditional clothing for Papuan girls.

3:17 – 3:30: Papuan antipathy for clothing but elaborate head decorations for festive occasions.

3:30 – 3:56: Influence of foreign missionaries and the challenges they face with multiple dialects.

3:56 – 4:15: Potential positive impact of missionary work on education and peace among tribes.

4:15 – 4:27: Transition to Calah High, a primitive port on the island of Allore in the Dutch East Indies.

4:27 – 4:46: Description of the strange appearance and superstitious nature of Calah High’s inhabitants.

4:46 – 5:03: Influence of witch doctors on the lives of the natives.

5:03 – 5:29: Limited European influence and the constant state of war among local petty rajas.

5:29 – 5:52: Importance of dancing in the lives of primitive people and its role as a group diversion.

5:52 – 6:13: Description of the natives’ dance, characterized by mass movement and expressionless faces.

6:13 – 6:56: Speculation on the future commercialization and civilization of Calah High.

6:56 – 7:17: Payment for tribal dances with food from the ship, reminiscent of historical trade with natives.

7:17 – 7:52: Reflection on the history of man as a page in the book of evolution and the ongoing changes in Calah High.

7:52 – 8:22: Conclusion with a farewell to Papua and Calah High, acknowledging their primitive and strange nature.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com