Bougainville West Coast 1939

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Bougainville West Coast 1939

Sometimes in studies of culture and in the euphoria of new cultural discoveries we tend to forget or overlook the importance of respect for the status quo. I have a lot of respect for the Bainings who have banned public performances of the fire dance. This was a much maligned custom. \r\nThe Upei hat needs to remain secretive and protected. That is the way it is supposed to be. \r\nThank you for that interesting story Alan McLay.

Comment by Gideon Kakabin at 21:11:38 on 20 November 2012

When I was at Wakunai from 1968 to 70, the "UPEI" custom was still a practice in the Aita area, but had died out in the other areas of Bougainville, although as the picture shows it had been a practice in many other areas. The Upei hat was worn by single males from puberty until they married, and the hair grew in a matted form inside the hat. The outer layer of the hat was fairly plain but there was a design on an inner layer, which was for the eyes of men only. I remember two boys went to Panguna to work, with their Upei's on and returned to the Aita without them, claiming that they had been washed away when crossing a river. Not to be fooled the headmen sent some men to Kieta where they searched from house to house, and soon discovered the 2 Upei's in the house of an expatriate. The two boys were interned in a bamboo "Kalabus" back in the village, and probably would have died of starvation and torture if the Law hadn't intervened. The village leaders were more upset by the fact that the expatriate women could see the inner design which was definitely "taboo".

Comment by Alan McLay at 21:11:24 on 20 November 2012

Thank you, Chris, for your detailed contribution. More knowledge for us which enables us to embrace and further understand the cultural reasons for the manner and way in which our cultures are the way they are!

Comment by Reba Waites at 21:11:17 on 20 November 2012

" All adolescent boys in villages on the north coast of Bougainville wear upi hats to hide and protect their growing hair. Upi boys have to obey special restrictions, especially any contact with women, for several years as part of their initiation into manhood. Made of the dried and bleached leaves of a small fan-palm stitched over a thin bamboo frame, the upi for everyday wear is usually left plain. Important ceremonies are held when the boys take on the upi, when some of the restrictions on upi wearers are lifted, and when the upi itself is removed. For the second ceremony, the boys wear a special upi such as this one, ornamented with elaborate patterns cut into palm leaves that have been dyed red in a secret process known only to the mountain people of the interior."

Comment by Chris Luxton at 21:11:45 on 20 November 2012

What are these hats for?

Comment by Crystal theriot at 21:11:01 on 20 November 2012

They stay in the bush for months and when the come out, they wear this. I wish someone explains this Upi hats.\r\nNovember 17 at 6:09am

Comment by Wilson 'Wilz' Kalama at 21:11:30 on 20 November 2012

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