How missionaries inspired cargo cult / by Arthur Jawodimbari. Manki Masta / by Kumalau Tawali [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 575606
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Jawodimbari, Arthur, 1949-
- Access Conditions:
- Access open for research, personal copies and public use.
- Description:
-
- 1970 Apr. 23
- 1 sound tape reel (ca. 60 min.) : analog, 3 3/4 ips, half track, mono. ; 7 in.
- Series:
- Jawodimbari, Arthur, 1949- Cargo cult.
- Summary:
-
How missionaries inspired cargo cult: set in the Northern District of Papua in the 1890s based on similar historical incidents, here the villagers' term for material prosperity is "cargo" which according to tradition is obtained by correct behaviour leading a man successfully acquire wealth while the breaking of this taboo will bring down the wrath of the ancestors as a curse so the man will never prosper. The problem though is that the missionaries have told them that the white man have the same ancestors as the black man, yet it is quite apparent that the white man is richer in cargo than the blacks. There are only two explanations - either the ancestors are sending the cargo equally to all but the white man is somehow managing to steal the black man's share, or else the white man is in possession of superior rituals aimed at pleasing the ancestors. On top of that, the European attitude is to surpress the cargo-cult activity of the natives by force rather than reason.
Manki Masta : this play takes place in any relatively unsophisticated area sometime in the 1950s or later where the locals are ambitious of obtaining cargo (large amounts of money and material prosperity generally) through working for Europeans. Recently a new tax system has been introduced requiring a head tax from all adult male and female indigenes in Westernised areas in order to encourage the development of a cash economy. The play concentrates on aspects of European behaviour which are a source of wonderment to the natives in the village.
- Biography/History:
-
Arthur Jawodimbari was born in Sumbago a village in Popondetta and educated Martyrs' High School and is currently completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Papua New Guinea.
Kumalau Tawali born in Tawi, a little island on the south coast of the Manus District, in 1947, Kumulau Tawali won a government scholarship in 1963 to complete his secondary education over the next four years at Keravat High School in Rabaul. In 1967 he received a Tertiary Scholarship to enter university where he undertook Arts and is majoring in history, education and English and hopes to work as a teacher or a journalist.
- Notes:
-
- Plays performed at the Canberra Theatre on April 23, 1970 and organised by the Canberra-based Prompt Theatre company, were directed by Algis Butavicius. They are two of three plays written by New Guinea dramatists dealing with cultural and political conflict reflecting the mood of first generation New Guinea writers aiming at a reinterpretation of its recent colonial past and a growing awareness of emerging issues.
- How missionaries inspired cargo cult also entitled: Cargo cult.
- Recorded on April 23, 1970 at the Canberra Theatre, A.C.T.
- Digital master available National Library of Australia
- Related Material:
- Related material: New Guinea black and white (1 folded leaf : 7 p.)
- Subject:
- Papua New Guinean drama
- Other authors/contributors:
- Also Titled:
-
- How missionaries inspired cargo cult : aplay
- Manki Masta : a play
- Copyright:
-
In Copyright
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- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2040 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 1970
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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