PNG People

Another day in paradise is at a close and I thought I might reflect on the people and some of their idiosyncrasies. People here are much the same as elsewhere around the world. Some things about them reflect well and others not so good. Sounds like home, doesn't it?
Most of the folks in our area of Kudjip are called highlanders. They are a mixture of Solomon Islander and Aboriginal. These people have occupied the highland area for close to 50 thousand years. I don't think there was much change until the last 60-70 years. These people are only one or two generations out of the stone age.
The original highlanders have a rather primitive look about them with sloping foreheads and prominent brows. Their skin is medium dark and hair is bushy and black, although the children often have light colored hair, secondary to protein deficiency. They are very clan and tribe oriented. For many centuries, they have lived rather segregated lives in small villages. The villages often had only limited contact, usually, related to tribal warfare. For this reason, there was a lot of inbreeding and most people, male and female tend to look a lot alike. This is a real problem for me in clinic and on rounds. I keep thinking I have already seen this person, when it was really their neighbor.
The tribal thing is very prominent in elections and disputes. They seem to always take the side of their clan no matter what, even if the person is not particularly good or representative of their views. They will still vote for them, simply because they are from their tribe. (Tyronza thinks this is similar to Republicans and Democrats back home!) This leads to conflict and tribal warfare and machete injuries.
The favorite weapon and tool here is the machete. They are always attacking one another or someone from another tribe. This keeps the Emergency Room busy with "chop" injuries. One fellow had both feet amputated - courtesy of the neighboring tribe. (He was drunk and went into another village bragging about being involved in another chopping incident on one of their tribesmen. They retaliated!) Most people seem to survive the chop injuries. Thank the Lord there are few guns!
The children here seem very happy, even in abject poverty. Most are well cared for by parents, relatives, or other members of the village. Childhood mortality is high, secondary to illness (i.e. pneumonia, dysentery, typhoid and malaria). In the clinic, we see the usual illnesses, but also some of the worst skin ulcers and infections I have ever seen. Newly diagnosed osteomylitis is a daily event around here. Some of the injuries are also rather spectacular. I believe I already told you about the young boy who impaled his chest falling out of a guava tree. He recovered and has already gone home.
Most of you would not like the average highlander PNG diet. Meat is fairly rare, but fruit and fresh vegetables abound. The staple is the "yam" or "kaukau". This is similar to the sweet potato, but much more bland and starchy. Other things commonly grown include: pineapple, coconut, banana, guava, mango, greens, beans, tomato, tree tomato, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, english (white) potatoes, onions, corn, avocado, asparagus and squash. They do raise chickens and pigs, but are more likely to sell them rather than eat them themselves - same with the vegetables, other than "kaukau" and corn.
Pork if usually consumed at a feast or "mumu". The pig is roasted in the ground with hot rocks and vegetables. This can lead to a condition called "pig-bel" in the young children. Sudden consumption of a large amount of poorly cooked pork is the cause. When the body does not see much meat it lacks the enzymes to digest the meat. As a result the undigested meat sits in the small intestine and grows gas-gangrene organisms, which invade the gut wall and makes the child sick. This problem may require surgery and can cause death. I have seen two cases since my arrival.
The women here in the highlands are a sad story. Most are purchased for "bride-price" from their father for a few pigs and several thousand kina. A kina is currently worth $0.40 and is similar to our dollar. In years past, a kina was actually a sea shell that was used to adorn the neck. The bride-price is usually paid by an older villager, usually from a neighboring village or tribe. A man's wealth is determined by his kina and also by the number of wives and children. The wife seems to be responsible for most of the cooking, cleaning, gardening and child care. If the woman is not able to bear children, they are often cast aside or replaced with a new bride. Most infertility is the result of pelvic infection, probably courtesy of the husband. If the husband is displeased with the woman's performance, she may be beaten. This results in cuts and bruises and may also result in a ruptured spleen. I have been involved in several spleenectomies since my arrival. I have also helped repair several machete wounds to the woman. The favorite injury seems to be a chop across the achilles tendon. Domestic violence is also a major contributor to tribal violence when the woman comes from a different tribe as the husband. Not all domestic violence is from the husband, much is a result of polygamy. The "sister" wives can really have it in for each other! They also know how to use machetes.
So long from PNG. "I will catch you later." (Mi bi kissim yu behain.)
Dr. P
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