IDNO

T.131987.MST

Description

On Strathern's listing: Nunga school. Day of distribution of money for land to Roklaka, Nǝlka, Kendipi, Komungaka, Wəlyi, Waklpkae (and Tipuka?) tribal groups.
This was part of central government process of compensating people for land purchased for government purposes (such as the area on which Dei Council buildings were built), handed over to representatives of local groups (‘tribes’).
Local Government Councils had been newly established, and elected Councillors took charge of the proceedings, along with other big men.
Councillor Mbang (Nǝlka) orating. Man in red laplap (cotton wrap-around) would be a government employee.

Place

Oceania Melanesia; Papua New Guinea; Western Highlands Province; Dei Council area

Cultural Affliation

Nǝlka

Named Person

Nǝlka Mbang (Councillor)

Photographer

Strathern, Marilyn (later Prof., Dame)

Collector / Expedition

Date

11 February 1964

Collection Name

Strathern Collection

Source

Strathern, Marilyn (Prof., Dame)

Format

Colour Transparency

Primary Documentation

Other Information

T.131959.MST - T.131992.MST were identified by Marilyn Strathern as Set 2.

Named Person: "Mbang (Councillor), Nǝlka (tribe) M." [Information provided by Marilyn Strathern on 'List of Personal Names', JD 23/11/2016]

Context: laplap = Pidgin term for 'wrap-around skirt’ worn by either men or women, or general Pidgin term for imported calico or cotton cloth. [Strathern's Glossary word document, JD 4/24/2017]

A grant from the Wenner-Gren Foundation Historical Archives Program supported the documentation and preservation of the Strathern photographic collection. [JD 6/11/2017]