Robert Wood Williamson
The Mafulu: Mountain People of British New Guinea
"The Mafulu: Mountain People of British New Guinea" by Robert W. Williamson is an ethnographic account written in the early 20th century. This work documents the author's expedition to the remote Mafulu villages in British New Guinea, focusing on the lives, customs, and physical characteristics of the Mafulu people, a group with little prior contact with Westerners. The text seeks to fill a gap in ethnological knowledge about this unique cultural group and their practices." "The opening of this exploration sets the stage for an in-depth investigation of the Mafulu people, detailing the author's journey through various regions before reaching the Mafulu district. Williamson notes the rarity of white visitors to the area, which includes interactions with local missionaries who provide insights into the community. The author acknowledges the challenges within his fieldwork, including language barriers and the community's unfamiliarity with systematic inquiries, which add complexity to his ethnographic research. The preface and introduction highlight both the author's personal journey and the significant cultural exploration that will ensue in the chapters ahead."