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    NewXMLTemplate2006)7.8.2006-11:50am]191-206]QJPH)Invalidfolder]TheJournalofPacificHistory,ol.41,Mo.2,September2006

    LosingtheForestbutnottheStories intheTreesF.E.Williams''s1922Photographsofth ePuranDelta*

    JOSHUABELL

    INAPRIL1922,F.E.WILLIAMS1893 1943)BEGANHISFIRSTASSIGNMENTASTHEAUSTRALIANTerritoryofPapua'sassistantgovernmentanthropologistinhePurariDeltaonthesoutherncoastofwhatisnowPapuaNewGuinea.uringhiseight-monthtrip,illiamsbtainednformationnailyife,ocialelations,aterialculture,swellseligiouseliefsndractices.spartofthisesearch,ecollectedthnographicpecimens,adeketchesndookome6hoto-graphs.'wenty-nineofthesephotographsappearedinhis1924monographTh e Nativesof th ePura r iDelta,apublicationthatsubsequentlycametodefinetheareaforEuropeans. AspartofhisassessmentofthePurari,Williamswrites:

    ThePurariDeltadoesnotappear,speakingcomparatively,oeveryrichin folk-lore.It isnevereasyto flatterorcajolethenativeintoastory-tellingmood,andwhenoncehedoesembarkuponaventure,i t susuallyarepetitionofsomeoldtalewhichhasbeenecorded reviously.DuringmytaynheDelta heard ewtories *FieldesearchwasconductedbetweenMarch2001andNovember2002,withheaidofaWennerGren

    dissertationgrantGR6700)anda2001CrowtherBeynongrantfromtheUniversityofCambridgeMuseumofArchaeology nthropology.apuaNewGuinea'sNationalResearchnstituteandheNationalMuseumandArtGalleryprovidedmewithn-countryesearchaffiliation.ThestallofbothheNationalArchivesofAustraliaNAA)andheNationalArchivesofPNGNAPNG)gavemeinvaluableassistanceorwhich amgrateful.hedeasnhisaperaveenefitedromheommentsfMichael'HanlonndlizabethEdwards,swellsAmyCasher,EbenKirksey,loanMahoneandDavidOdo.ygreatestdebtsohecommunitiesofthePurariwhoseresidentsookthetimetotalkwithme. amparticularlygratefultotheRoveandAukirihouseholdsfortheiracceptance,guidanceandhospitality.Anyerrorsoromissionsinthispaperaremyown.

    D.J.F.riffiths,ThecareerofF.E.Williams,overnmentnthropologistfPapua,9221943',AThesis,AustralianNationalUniversityCanberra977);.YoungwithJ.larked.),nAnthropologistnPapua:he pho t og raphyofF.E.Williams1922-1939(Adelaide2001);seealsoI.G.Campbell,'AnthropologyandtheprofessionalismofcolonialdministrationnapuandNewGuinea',Journalof PacificHistory,31998),69-90.

    F.E.Williams,heNativesfPurarielta.erritoryfPapuanthropologicaleportso. PortMoresby1924).

    TheullcollectionfWilliams'hotographicmagessurrentlyeldnheAPNGndheNAA.TheNAAmountedanexhibitofWilliams'photographsn1999.n2002,heexhibitwassentohePNG'sNationalMuseumandArtGallery.SeeYoungwithClark,AnAnthropologistnPapua.

    TheRev.J.H.Holmesalsopublishedabookonheregioninhesameyear,whichreceivedwidespreadreadership;however,twasWilliams'sscientific'monographhathadawiderandlong-lastingimpactwithinanthropology.n954,RobertF.MaherwentoheDeltawithheexplicitntentionofutilisingWilliams'smonographsbaselineromwhichoexaminehempactofculturalchange.eeRev.J.H.olmes,nPrimitiveNewGuinea:naccountofauar t erofacenturysp en tamongs t heprimitiveIpi&JVamaug roup softr ibesofth e GulfofPapuaLondon924);R.F.Maher,NewMenofPapua: studynul turehangeMadison1961).ISSN0022-3344print;469-9605online/06/020191-16;TaylorandFrancis2006TheJournalofPacificHistorync.DOI:0.1080/00223340600826094

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    NewXMLTemplate2006)7.8.2006-11:50am]191-206]QJPH)Invalidfolder]192 OURNALOFPACIFICHISTORYwhicharenotincludedamongthosegivenhere.Nodoubtothersli ehiddeninhe archives,bu t heyreo tpopu la ror,oopeak ,mportant . '

    Despitebeinganastuteethnographer,Williams'scommentsobscuretheculturallyspecificwaysinwhichPurari historiesarelocallyreproducedandunderstood.orthepurposesofthispaper, raisethisquotenottodetractfromhisethnography,butratherbecausehesecommentspersistinalong-termethnographicrendbywhichcommunitiesofthePurarihavebeenportrayedswithouthistory'ors havingonlyaudimentaryhistoricalconsciousness.owdoesoneaddresshis'particularbundleofsilences'hatthePurariiswithout'importantstories'?

    Duringmyieldwork,anansweremergednheocalnarrativesnspiredbyWilliams'hotographs.sartfynvestigationnheaysuraricommunitieshavenegotiatedtheiridentityandhistorythroughmaterialculture,visualrepatriationofWilliams'sphotographswasonemethodologyIusedtogaininsightntoocalerceptionsndonstructionsfheast.yreeingphotographsromheirmmersionithinuropeanulturalxpectations,visualepatriationallowsotherwaysof seeingoemerge.henewnarrativesthatmergeescueromhehotographheeeminglyrivial,therashfhistory',whichKlausNeumannhasurgedhistoriansomakethecentrepiecesoftheirhroniclesftheolonialxperiencesfindigenousommunities.herandominclusivenessofphotographs,heirindiscriminatedocumentationofthequotidian,llows hotograph'smallestetailoecomeromptsor,ndtheentrepiecef,oreomplexacificistories.heralerformancesthatesultromiewinghotographsnableewpacesorhereservationandxplorationfdentity,istoryndultureomerge.nherocess,morenclusivendriticalistoriesfourross-culturalngagementanewritten,andthevariousmisconceptionsthatweandotherswritingbeforeushavecreatedandperpetuatedcanbeinterrogatedfromdifferentvantagepoints.

    'Williams,heNativesofPurariDelta,246italicsadded).J.Fabian,imeandheOthe r :ownthropologymake stsbjectsNewYork983).

    'Holmes,nPrimitiveNewGuineaLondon924),1,7,3;aher,Korikihieftainship:ereditarystatusandmananPapua',Ethnology,3:31974),445.

    M.R.Trouillot, i l encinghe Past:powerand he product ionofhistoryBoston1995),27.J.A.Bell,Lookingtosee:reflectionsonvisualrepatriationinthePurariDelta,GullProvince,PapuaNew

    Guinea',nLauraPeersandAlisonBrowneds),MuseumsandSourceCommuni t i e s :Rout ledgeeaderLondon2003),11122;idem,Intersectinghistories:materialityandsocialtransformationinthePurariDeltaofPapuaNewGuinea',PhDhesis,UniversityofOxfordOxford2005).

    A.Fiernup-Riordan,Yup'ikeldersnmuseums:ieldworkurnedontshead',ArcticAnth ropo logy ,35:2(1998),958;dwards,Visualizingistory:iamondenness'shotographsfD'Entrecasteauxslands,Massim,9111912aasetudyne-engagement',anberraAnth ropo logy ,7:21994),26;dem,awHistories:pho t og raph s ,nthropologyandmus e umsOxford2001);dem,Talkingvisualhistories:ntroduction',nPeersandBrown,MuseumsandSourceCommuni t i e s ,83-99.

    K.Neumann,FindinganappropriatebeginningforahistoryoftheTola!colonialpast:or,startingfromtrash',CanberraAnth ropo logy ,5: 11992),19.

    SeeJ.inneynd.haplin,Takinghotographsome:heecoveryfaaoriistory',isualAnthropology,41991),43142;S.A.Niessen,Moretoitthanmeetstheeye:photo-elicitationamongsttheBatakofSumatra',isualAnth ropo logy , 1991),1530;R.oignantwithA.oignant,ncounteratNagalarramba(Canberra996);J.E.Staunton,Snapshotsonhedreaming:photographsofthepastandpresent',nPeersandBrown,MuseumsandSourceCommuni t i e s ,36-51.

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    NewXMLTemplate2006)7.8.2006-11:50am]191-206]QJPH)Invalidfolder]LOSINGTHEFOREST 93 Here,xamineneetfnarrativeshatmergedhileorkingith

    Williams'sphotographsnhe'aivillageofMapaio.nparticular, ocusonreactionsonehotograph,ntitledAcenenari'.hearrativessurroundinghismagechallengeWilliams'snotionofthePurarisnothaving'important'tories,sellsywnxpectationsfhowolonialistorysrememberedandretold.ThediscussionhatfollowsencompassesabroadsweepoftimeinhePurari,and hereforebeginwithanaccountofWilliamsandhisworkn922,swellsaterevents,nrderoituateyecentieldworkwithinhishistoricalcontext. subsequentlyurnoadiscussionof'ASceneinIari',ocalreactionsohismageandhowanewunderstandingofthewaysinwhichhistorysconstructedandememberednhePurariDeltahasemergedfromheevisitingofthisphotographicencounter.AMultitudeofContexts:h eIntersectingHis tor i esof th ePura r iDel ta Alargeidalestuary,hePurariDeltaisadensearrayofmarineanderrestrialresources.heregion's10,000inhabitantsdwellin20villagesandbelongtos ixinterrelatedbutself-describedribes:Baroi,a'i,Kaimari,Koriki,MaipuaandVaimuru.peakingialectsfheameon-Austronesiananguage,hesegroupsshareabundleofculturalpractices,whosecurrentconfigurationsheresultoftheinterplaybetweenlocalandoreignagentsoverthelastcentury.n1922,Williamsasentoheurarionvestigatedramaticventnhisinterplay,thecuriousmanifestationsofhysteria'alledheVailalaMadness',whichhademergedin919.nvolvingthedestructionoflocalmaterialculture,thennovationfnewituals,ndheimicryfEuropeans,heVailalaMadness'wasbelievedbyheadministrationtoposeahreatoheircontroloftherecentlypacifiedpopulation. soutlinedbyMurray,Williams'schargeincarryingouthisesearchwas

    toadvisetheGovernmentonquest ionsofpracticaladministration,andsoassistus inourtaskoffittingor,asi tweredovetailingexisting customsintothen ew civilisation whichweareintroducing.

    TheseeminglychaoticVailalaMadness'lewinheaceofMurray'sdesireforslowandationallyEuropeaninducedchange.

    T.Petred.) ThePurari:rop ica lenvironmentofahighrainfalliverbasinTheHague1983).J.H.PMurray,Introduction'nWilliams,heNativesofPurariDelta,ii;Williams,heailalaMadness

    andth eDes t r uc t i onofNativeCeremon i e sn heGulfDivision,TerritoryofPapuaAnthropologicalReportsNo.4PortMoresby1923);idem,TheVailalaMadnessinretrospect',inE.E.Evans-Pritcharde tal .eds),EssaysPr e sen t edtoC.G.SeligmanLondon934),6979.

    Only4yearshadranspiredsinceLt.GovernorMurrayhadedapunitiveexpeditionohePurariin1908netaliationorhehreateningoftwoEuropeanraders.Similarly,heDeltaDivision'sadministrative headquartersatKikorisome100kilometreswestofthePurari)hadonlybeenestablishedin1912.SeePapua,Papua :annualr epor t forhe yearended 30th June,1908(Melbourne1908);J.H.P.Murray,Papuaor British.NewGuinea (London912),738;.raig,Theshesofheirires:heubertMurrayollectionnheationalMuseumofAustralia',COAL4,261995),8-32.

    Murray,Introduction'nWilliams,heNat ivesofPurariDelta,ii.Murray,Anth ropo logyandheGove rnmen tofSubjectRace sPortMoresby921).

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    New XMLTemplate2006)7.8.2006-11:50am]191-206]QJPH)Invalidfolder]194 OURNALOFPACIFICHISTORYDiscoveringhatheVailalaadness'adadittleffectnurari

    communities,Williamsroducedhateescribeds purelyescriptive'monograph,longith eparaterticlennitiationites.nddition,WilliamswrotemonographsoncollectingandonheMadness'tself.hiletheseatterwomonographsdealmoreexplicitlywithadministrativeconcernssuchshereservationfocalulture,nheativesfheurar ie l ta^Williams'spreface

    offersori t icismrugges t ionsoovernment.ftontributeoabetterunderstandingofthepeoplethas practicalalue;orheirstssent ia ltowardair,sympathetic,andkindreatmentofinferiorssoknowwhatheyarei 20doing.

    WhiletsutsidehecopefheresentaperoddressWilliams'sphotographicractice,ithinhisndistheronographs,hotographshelpeddisplaywhatitwasthatthesepeoplewhere'doing'.longsidesketches,photographyasnetrategyyhichilliamsisuallyollectedndpresentednformation,herebyollowinganestablisheddisciplinaryrend.

    Williams,heNativesofPurariDelta,ii;dem,Theairamaceremonynheurarielta,apua',Journalofth eRoyalAnthropo log ica lInstituteofGrea tBritainandIreland,531923),6187.

    Williams,heCollectionofCuriosandhe Preserva t ionofNativeCulture .TerritoryofPapuaAnthropologicalReportsNo.3.PortMoresby923);dem,heailalaMadness.

    Idem,heNativesofPurariDelta,vii.Inhismonographsandfieldnotes,Williams squietabouthisphotographicpractice.Ifandwhenhedoes

    mentionphotography,hedoesoobliquelyandunreflectively,snheollowingcomment:VeryfewwouldevenventureintothelittlehutatKimiri,wherelivedecrepitandweather-beatenkanipu[aypeofmask]erehanging,houghneoyf'plantation'xperienceutonacostumeeadilyenoughobephotographed.

    However,severalyearslater inalettertoBeatriceBlackwood,Williamscomments,findIhaveahatredofphotography,andanygoodresultsarebychance'.WhilelittleevidenceremainsasohenatureofWilliams'sphotographicpracticesinhePurari,tspossibleodiscernheollowing.nallikelihoodWilliamsusedanICATropica9x12cm.naletterdated1936,Williamsremarksthatthiswashis'oldofficialcamera'.While4yearshadranspiredincehisworknhePurari, samplemeasuringofWilliams'splatesandprintsakenduringthisperiodconformstotheICATropica'splatesize.Firstintroducedin1912,heTropicawasmadebytheermancameraanufacturerCAA.G.ntil931.twas ell-knowncameraorheropics,ndWilliamscouldhavepurchasedthecamerainEnglandbeforetakinguphispost.Extantcorrespondence9Oct.19228May1923),betweenWilliams'ssuperior,WilliamM.StrongandtheGovernmentStoreKeeperrevealsthatWilliamshadequestedwo-dozenphotographicplatesobeentohimmonthlywhilehewasnhePurari.Owingtothelackofstock,hisprocurementrequestranintodifficulties.nhislastwrittencommentontheatter,hetoreeepernotestheastshipmentrought0ozenlates,incehatdateourthersupplieshavebeenreceived'.Whileit sunclearwhenhislastshipment'occurredandhowmanyplatesweresenttoWilliams,hisexchangegivesoneasenseofthephotographiclimitationshefaced.WhiletheseproblemsdidnotpreventWilliamsromakingphotographs,heavailabilityofplatesmighthavebeenimited,husforcingWilliamsousegreatcareincomposinghisimages.F.E.Williams,heNativesofPurariDelta,205;F.E.WilliamsoB.Blackwood,25Aug.939,PittRiversMuseum,GeneralCorrespondence,BlackwoodPapers;F.E.WilliamsoGovernmentSecretary,23Jun.936,F.E.WilliamPapers,NationalArchiveof PapuaNewGuineahereinafterNAPNG),ortMoresby,447LSS/1,1/2989;W.M.trongoovernmentStorekeeper, May1923,NPNGA)A447,MLMSS5/1,61/2989.

    Edwards,Surveyingculture:photography,collectingandmaterialcultureinBritishNewGuinea,1898',inM.O'HanlonandR.Welscheds),Huntingh eGatherers:t hnograph i collectors,gen t sandagencynMelanesia,/#%-#%%Oxford2000),103-26;M.Young,Ma&wwf&fjA*mWm%.^ Awrt/'Ao^ofAy,7&/.W9;#Chicago1998).

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    NewXMLTemplate2006)7.8.2006-11:50am]191-206]QJPH)Invalidfolder]LOSINGTHEFOREST 95 TABLE:illiams'sPurarihotographsbyCulturalGroupandCategoryPho tog raph i category Koriki Fat Ka.ima.ri Maipua TotalsPortraitnamed 12 0 1 0 13Portraitanonymous 3 8 0 1 12Materialculture 25 22 1 1 49 RitualactivityLandscapeTotal

    51

    4945

    39024

    024

    91396

    Williams'shotographsromheurarianerokenownntooursubjectategories:irst,ortraitsrosedscientificeference'magesfindividualsorgroups; econd,hotographswhosesubjectmattersaterialculturei.e.,asks,arvings,anoes);hird,hotographsfitualctivity;andourth,andscapephotographswhichncludevillagesandnaturaleatures(Table).hileheseroadategoriesrefywnakingndhesubjectatterfomehotographsverlapsithwororefhesegroupings,heyateastgivesomesenseofWilliams'snterests.WhileWilliamsdidotompletelylidehepresencefEuropeansrotherracesfforeignelementsnhisphotographs,tsellinghatnoneofthesemagesppearsnhis924onograph.uchommentssoneayccasionallyeenldblanketr oilediecefcalicoorns antle;uthappilysuchightsaretillncommonnheelta'uggesthateounduchntrusionsdistasteful.ContraryoWilliams'sopes,y92 2ommunitiesnheurarierebecomingenmeshedwithintheAustraliancolonialsystem.Withthecessationofwarfare,maleinhabitantswerebeingrecruitedoworkinheplantationsoftheCentralivision,sellsnheailalailfieldnheeighbouringulfDivision. sawmillandradestorewasestablishedonheWameRiver,andvillagersbothsoldlogstothemillandobtainedemployment.agowastradedwithvisitingMotuansfromtheCentralDivision,swellasbeingsoldotraders,recruitersandhegovernment.Tostimulateocalndustryandprovideabasefromwhichvillagerscouldpaytaxes,villageplantationswerebeinginstitutedbytheadministration.AfieldhospitalhadbeenestablishednearthevillageofIkinuonthecoasttocombatthetransmissionofvenerealdiseasesaswellastomonitorinfluenzaoutbreaks. Since906,heLondonMissionarySocietyhadbeenan

    Edwards,RawHistories,3381.Williams,heNat ivesofPurariDelta,43;f.,dem,heailalaMadnessPortMoresby1923),60.

    25Papua, apua :nnualepor t1921-22Melbourne923),54.26KikoriPatrolReport 922-23NAPNG),Gull'ProvincePatrolReports.27Papua,apua :nnualepor t921-22, 116;ikoriatroleport 1921-22, (NAPNG),ull'Province

    PatrolReports;KikoriPatrolReport 921-22,NAPNG),GulfProvincePatrolReports.

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    NewXMLTemplate2006)7.8.2006-11:50am]191-206]QJPH)Invalidfolder]196 OURNALOFPACIFICHISTORYactivepresenceonhecoastatUrika,althoughby92 2thadargelyailedoconvertheegion'snhabitantsoChristianity.

    SubsequenttoWilliams'sresearch,heAustraliancolonialpresenceincreased.Forheurposesfhisaper,owever,hewoventshatadheostprofoundndecentmpactnommunitiesillexamined.heseventsstructuredheaysnhicheopleeceivedndnderstoodilliams'sphotographsduringmyieldesearch.ollowingWorldWarI,n'aiman,TomKabu,begananindigenousmodernisationmovement. nanattemptodevelopmodern'usinessractice,heabuMovement194669)ispersedtraditionalillages,esettledommunitiesorash-croppingurposesndestablishedheenclaveof RabiacampnowKaugere)nPortMoresbyoelltheirproduce.Abandoninghelonghousesravi)ndheaccompanyingrituals,followersestroyedostofthebjectsssociatedithhesenstitutions.heMovement'sbusinessocusalsoopenedupnewavenuesorsocialadvancementthatsubsequentlyhelpederodethetraditionalhereditaryleadershipstructures.Whileunsuccessfulinachievingeconomicandpoliticalself-sufficiency,heKabumovementreshapedhePurariphysically,herebychangingthesitesandnatureofheeproductionfndigenousnowledgeegardinglanistories,lanrelationshipsandhechieflyhierarchy.Thesubsequentwidespreadpost-WorldWarIIacceptanceofChristianityparticularlytheSeventhDayAdventistsandthePentecostalChurches),heregion'shighratesofout-migrationfacilitatedbytheKabuMovement'sestablishmentoftheRabiacamp)andthenewleadershippositionsrovidedyationalndocaloliticsincendependenceavellcontributedoheurtherentropyofthisculturalknowledge.

    Inheid-1990sewressuresereroughtoearonhesenowledgesystemswhenhenationalgovernmentgrantedoggingconcessionsnheGulfProvinceouramaorestndustryTFI)ndrontieroldingFH),subsidiaryoftheMalaysianloggingconglomerateRimbunanHijauRH).nresponseoheserojects,n995lanroupsormedncorporatedandGroupsILGs),heegisteredbodieshroughwhichclaimsocustomaryandtenurearenationallyrecognised.n1999,royaltypaymentsbegantoflowfromtheseconcessions.However,theregistrationprocessandrecognitionofcustomarylandightsbyhenationalgovernmenthasbeenarromequal,suchhathe

    Holmes,nPrimitiveMewGuinea.Maher,MewMenofPapua.Idem,Fromcannibalraidtocoprakompani:changingpatternsofKorikipolities',Ethnology , :11967),

    30931;dem,Theurariivereltaocieties,apuaewuinea,lterheomabuovement',Ethnology ,23:31984),1727;N.E.HitchcockandN.D.Orameds),RahiaCampandth eTommyKabuMovement(Canberra1967);Oram,TommyKabu:whatkindofmovement?"CanberraAnth ropo logy ,15:21992),9105;AnthonyYeates,ThepatrolofficersandTomKabu:powerandprestigeinthePurariDelta',JournalofPacificMffwy,402005),71-90.

    TheloggingconcessionsreferredtoherearethewestbankofthePurari,BaimuruBlock3FMA,which scurrentlyunderTFI'sjurisdiction,andVailalaBlock FMA,whichiesonheeastbankofthePurariand soperatedbyRH.

    C.FilerwithN.Sekhran, o g g e r s ,Dono r sandResourceOwner sLondon998),82 ;H.Holzknecht,P ro bonopubl ico?:onservationandappropriateesourcemanagementtrategiesnPapuaNewGuinea',nFiler(ed.),hePoliticalEconomyofFor e s tManagementnPapuaMewGuineaBoroko1997),6890.

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    NewXMLTemplate2006)7.8.2006-11:50am]191-206]QJPH)Invalidfolder]LOSINGTHEFOREST 97 ILGsof someribalgroupsareeceivingbenefitswhileothers,suchshe'ai,arenot.Thishasledohefragmentationofsocialgroupingssindividualsandkingroupsvieorheoggingevenuemoney.

    Criticaltotheseintra-communitynegotiationsareclanhistorieshistoriesofancestraloriginsandmigrations.Referredtoas'ancestraltalk'a im omoro)andas 'paths'kapea) ,lanroupsossessightsoellertaintories.mbodiednobjects,namesandlandscapes,hesemigrationhistoriesarerecountedbymen.Sincethisancestralmovementthroughthelandhelpedcreateit,thesestoriesandtheirmaterialmarkershelpprovideclanswiththebasisfortheirclaimstoagivenresourcerea.riorohe990s,heellingfheseistoriesasloselygovernedbycustomarystricturesvupu),andheywereonlyprivatelydisclosedwithinaclan.However,withtheonsetoftheloggingandtheformationofILGs,individualsandclanshavebeenpushedopublicdisclosureofaspectsoftheirancestralalknorderoproveeadershipandandclaimswithinhevillage.Thosewhodo,openhemselvesoaccusationsofbeingboastfulande-awakenintra-andinter-clanjealousies,therebybecomingtargetsforsorcerers.Soonaftermyarrival,heWilliamsphotographswerequicklysubsumedwithintheseinter-andintra-clanstrugglesandlocallybecameanalogoustotheancestralheirloomsthroughwhichclansassertheirvariousclaims.

    InthePurari, workedwithasetofWilliams'sphotographsheldattheNationalArchivesfAustralia,hichadeencannedromhotocopiesndhenprintedromomputer.illiams'seographicttributionllowedhephotographsobearrangednabinderaccordingovillageandribalgroup.Giventhesizeofthecollection,unlessasked, presentedonlythosephotographsthatelatedohenterviewee'sgroup.Thishelpededucewhatwasotherwiseannwieldyumberfimagesoreopleorocess.hehotographsereeithershownnabinderorpassedaroundnnoparticularorder.Withaewexceptions,eachphotographwasshownwithoutitscaption.

    Ineachofthes ixcommunitieswithwhich worked, irstcarriedoutlargegroupmeetingsinordertosharetheimagesas widelyaspossiblewithcommunitymembers. ollowedheseeventswithsmallergroupmeetingsinvolvingasingleclanorhouseholdaswellsndividualnterviews.Theargerinitialmulti-clanmeetingswereoftenchaoticandsoonbecamearenaswhereindebatesabouthepoliticsofknowledgecouldbetacitlyfought.Withinthesemeetingsonlypersonalreminiscencesndopicseemedppropriateorubliconsumptionerediscussed,suchasrituals,songsandheconstruction/useofobjects.

    Subsequentmallereetingsereoresefuloyesearch.lonersurroundedbyheirimmediatekin,elders'conversationsnvolvedssuesspoken

    'Unfortunately,withinheconfinesofthispapertsnotpossibleoaddresshegendereddimensionofhistoryellingandauthority.

    Bell,LookingoSee'.

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    NewXMLTemplate2006)7.8.2006-11:50am]191-206]QJPH)Invalidfolder]198 OURNALOFPACIFICHISTORYaboutnublic,utoreftenncorporatedenealogiesndhusersonalconnectionstolandorchieflystatus.Onanindividualbasis,peoplemorereadilydiscussedopicsheywouldrdinarilyhaveeenautiousboutdisclosingnpublic.Eldersappearedmoresecureinassertingtheiropinionsabouttheidentityofanindividualorplaceinheseprivatemeetings.DuringmyfirstargegroupinterviewnheonghouseommunityfAikavalavi,anytorieseganoemergeoutoflookingat'ASceneinIari'.Thediscussionthatfollowsrevealssomeaspectsofthesocialdynamicshatoperatesstoriesareoldandknowledgesreproduced.

    ThesessionookplaceunderneathhehouseofMailau,aprominentelderinAikavalavi.Themeeting'shost,alongwithhecommunity'sixmaleelders,satbeforeme,encircledbytheiryoungermalekinsmenmanyofwhosefathershaddied,eavinghemheleadersoftheirlineagesandinsomecases,chiefsoftheirclans),alongwithheircuriouschildrenFigure).Oldandyoungwomensatbehindeacrossromhemen.ocialnormsdictatedhathecoregroupofmaleldersirstookndommentnWilliams'hotographs.akingheirremarkssmuchormesheirpeers,lanandheassembledvillagers,oncefinishedwithaphotographhemenpasseditohenextcircleofyoungermen,whohenpassedhemoemaleelders,womenandchildren.Whilehesemaleelderspontificated,heothervillagecontingentsmadetheircommentsquietlytotheireighbours.heseroupingsndherdernwhichhesemagesereviewedeflectaspectsof theegion'sdynamicsofknowledgeproduction,whereageandgendergiveindividualsdifferentdegreesofpublicauthority.Whilemymicrophonewasindiscriminatenitseceptionanditsange,hesoundevelatwhichthemaleeldersmadetheircommentslimitedbothwhatwasrecordedandwhatcouldeaterranscribed.saesult,anyofthecommentsmadebywomenandyoungmenweremuted.

    Althoughnthusiasmervadedhisndimilarroupeetings,theremotionsostalgia,orrow,onfusionndngerlsourstorthrpercolatednderheurface.ecausefheestructiveurgefheabuMovement,onlyvillagersaged5andolderhadeverseenorexperiencedwhatwasicturednWilliams'smages.s esult,nlyheldersouldakeculturalsenseofthecollection'scontents.Stirringhememoriesoftheseelders,thephotographsalsogavehepastanewvisualpresenceoryoungervillagers.Photographs,uchsAcenenari',uicklyecamelatformsorheperformanceoforalhistoriesandameansbywhichpeoplecouldnarratecertainaspectsof theirives.

    AslsewherenNG,nheurarieoplereferobtainnowledgefthingshroughdirectexperienceanddistrustunsubstantiatedoraldiscourse.

    Edwards,RawHistor ies;J.Hoskins,BiographicalObject s:owhingse llhet or iesofp eop l e ' sivesLondon1998).

    '.Eves,heMagicalBody:power,fame,andmeaninginaMelanesiansoc ie tyAmsterdam1998);O'Hanlon,ReadingheSkin:dornment ,display,andoc ie tymongheWahgiLondon989);A.B.Weiner,Fromwordsoobjectsomagic:"hardwords"andtheboundariesofsocialinteraction',inD.BrenneisandF.R.Meyereds),Dange rousWords:anguageandpoliticsnhePacificProspectHeights1984),61191.

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    NewXMLTemplate2006)7.8.2006-11:50am]QJPH) [191-206][Invalidfolder]LOSINGTHEFORES1 199FIGURE:isualepatriationeetingithheikavalaviommunityfMapaio.(a )Elderss itwithinaloosesemi-circlesurroundedytheiryoungermalekinsmenandchildren.Thewomenwhocametothemeetingsat behindme.b)TwoAikavalaielders,MailauAneaneviaandNavaraKairiexaminen eofWilliams'sphotographs,whileotherswaitfo rthemof in ishBell2001).InthewordsofoneyoungI'aiman,Ropo,Wemust]haveevidenceofwhatwesay,notthewordonly...Withoutevidenceandjusttalkingwillnotgiveaclearpictureofit.''ithinhenewclimateofcontestationcausedyheoggingindustry,urvivingancestralheirloomshavee-emergedsmportantsubstan-tiationsofanorator'sauthority.Bridgingthegapbetweenhepastandpresent,thesenalienableossessionsctsetonymsfalanroup'sastnheirunfoldingresent.WhileWilliams'shotographsaveheastaewndt

    7R.Ropo,1Jul.2001,apednterviewwithBell.

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    NewXMLTemplate2006)7.8.2006-11:50am]191-206]QJPH)Invalidfolder]200 OURNALOFPACIFICHISTORYtimesarrestingvisualpresence,hecollectionwaspartiallysubsumedwithinthiscategoryofobjectsndecamenewokensnpeople'sstruggleorauthority.Ultimately,however,hephotographsdifferedinthatI,aforeigner,hadbroughtthem,whichinfusedmyownpresenceandthephotographswithanauraofbothstrangenessndmmediacy.espitehisisjuncture,hehotographs,ikeancestralheirlooms,giveheelders'eminiscencesanewweightincommunitiesandthustheairofauthority.Astheelders'builttheiroralscaffoldingaroundthephotographs,hemageseree-inscribedithocaleanings,hichreawakenedcommunitypride.'Acenenari':DifferentRegistersofSeeingandEncodingHistoriesWhenlookingat'ASceneinIari'Figure2),thisiswhatIsee.Intheforeground,severalwomenandchildrenhaveclosedoffacreekwithafishingweir,hetideis lowandseveralmovethroughthemudwithdipnetstryingtocatchprawnsandsmallfishintheshallowwater.Ontheleftbanklieseveralpiecesofasegmentedsagopalmtrunksinvariousstagesofbeingprocessedforfood,whileontherightbankaonecoconutreeandherameworkforasmalllonghouseoomoverasmallwoman'shouse.Behindthe fishing weir,lying acrossthe mouthofthecreekis awalkwayoflogs.Mandatedbyhegovernment,suchpathswerentendedoimprovehevillagesanitation,butmoreoftenacilitatedhevisitsofpatrollinggovernmentofficers.Villagerswereemporarilyimprisonedandheirconstablesdemotedforimpropermaintenanceofthepaths.

    Acrossheivernheppositeank,nheiddleftheramei tshegovernmentresthousewithitswharf surroundedbytrees.Orderedbythecolonialadministration,hesebuildingswereforvisitingofficersduringtheirsemi-routinetripshroughheegionoenforcecoloniallaw,hearcourtcasesanddistributemoniesoreturnedabourers.Williamsstayedinhesebuildingshroughouthistripand,whileinthevillageofIari,mostlikelyoccupiedthisbuilding.Totheleftofheest-housetandsnotherouserame,ndotsighthroughheunderbrushheainonghousefheikavalaviommunityaneeen.Lookingatthisphotograph, initiallysawandstills eethetracesofcolonialrulelocatedinthegovernmentrest-houseandhevillagewalkway,bothelementsoftheregion'sintersectinghistoriesthatIwassointenttotalkwithpeopleabout.hadopedhatwhenhowinghishotographoeopleuringmymeetinginikavalavi,touldtimulateiscussionfheseistories.nstead,ldersrefocusedyttentionyointinguthateemedtirstnconsequentialdetails.heyhusescuedromhehotographheeeminglyeaningless,therebyrevealingthemultiplemeaningsnestedintheimage'sdetails.

    s*Bell,LookingoSee',18 .M.Langford,usp endedConversa t ions:heafterlifeofmemo rynpho t og raph icalbumsMontreal2001),21.Williams,heNativesofPurariDelta,8;Papua,Papua :nnualr epor t192122 ,50;KikoriPatrolReport

    1921-22NAPNG),Gull'ProvincePatrolReports,3-4.*'Edwards,&zwMfknw,99-100.

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    NewXMLTemplate2006) [7.8.2006-11:50am](OJPH) [191-206][Invalidfolder]

    LOSINGTHEFOREST 201

    FIGURE :ntitledASceneinIari',nW illiams's924monograph,hisphotographis onlyon eoftw ovillagescenesappearinginheook.nWilliams'shecklistlocatedn theNAA,hisimageiscaptionedFi shnetsIari)Apr.922)'.Thisshiftincaptioningsuggeststheoriginalfocusofthephotographandasubsequentrethinkingof it sus ewithinth emonographNationalArchivesofAustralia:A6003,4.1).

    Olderwomenocusedonhephotograph'soreground,evealingaspectsoftheir social orientation tothe environment andto food gatheringactivities.Amongotherthings(suchas thecreek'sname,theheightofthetide),they remarkedontheshiftingnatureoffishingtechnology.Whilepreviouslymainlytheworkofwomen,innovationsinfishingtechnologyhasredefinedhegendereddivisionsoffishing.Introducedinthe1970s,nylonnetshavelargelyreplacedlargefishingweirs.Thisshifthasbroughtwithitsubtlechangesinthesocialaspectsoffishing,specificallythemovementawayfromcommunaltomoresolitaryfishingpractices,as wellasacorresponding shiftawayfromfoodsharing.Womenwere not expectedorallowedtospeakoutonhesematterswithintheexistingdynamicsandstructuresofthepublicdiscourseonancestralhistories.Women'sorientationsandactivitiesintheenvironmentreartfheon-discursiveakingfhistory.hroughheiractivitiesnheenvironment,womenosterandsustainhesocialelationshathelpcreatethesehistories.

    Inontrast,hatascinatedhealeldersashehotograph'sack-ground:herees.henheritedropertyfmen,reesrenefheostimportant resources that come from possessing customary rights to land.12

    Otherrightsconferredbybeingholdingcustomaryitletoaportionoflandareaccesstohuntinggame,plantinggardens,arvestingagoandgatheringotheroodtemsoundnhearea.iversndreeksaresimilarlyclaimedwithcustomaryenureconferringightsoaccesshewaterway'sish.

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    NewXMLTemplate2006)7.8.2006-11:50am]191-206]QJPH)Invalidfolder]202 OURNALOFPACIFICHISTORYTheoretically,arriedomenseheirusband'sreessartfheirmovementntoislanroup.owever,nontemporaryractice,anywomenretaintherighttousetheresourcesoftheirfather'sland.uts,eaves,fruit,grubsandhestarchyinterioroftreesaremajorsourcesoffood,andreeswereandstillemainamainawsourceoraargeangeofmaterialcultureincludingcanoes,houses,carvings,toolsandrope.Atree'sbark,leaves,rootsandsapalsoprovideitemsformanylocalmedicinesandmagic.Thecurrentloggingoperations'economicayeringoftreeshasonlyheightenedheirpositionsanindexofstatus.Withheadventoftheogging,reesnowconstitutehesinglegreatestsourceofbothealandanticipatedncome.

    Theldersdentifiedndividualrees,uchsulipGnetumnemon)ndbreadfruitArtocarpusaltilis),hatareplanted,endedandwhichormamajorpartofthelocaldiet.Despitehe80interveningyearssincehephotographhadbeenaken,heownersof differentreeswerealsonamed.nparticular,hreeilimoreesOctomelessumatrana)ecamecentresofattention,eachofwhichhadpersonalnames.Here, discusshestoriesevolvingaroundwooftheserees,whichbelongedoAukiriKoivi,amedicalassistantromheearly920suntilthe950s.Hisson,Ke'a,heagingchiefofPeruavaOrumakoclanandaseniorelderwithinhehamletofLaviKaupara,wasableoverifyandelaborateonthesetrees'histories.Whileotherelderswereabletonameandidentifythetrees,followingculturalprotocolheyrefusedoelltherees'storiesforfearoftellingthemwronglyandhusnvokingheenmityofthestories'owners.ThestoriesthatemergedromhesephotographedreeschallengeWilliams'sassertionhattheurariacksimportanttories'ndevealheultipleayersyhichhistoriesreestednhentersectionsetweeneople,bjectsndheenvironment.

    Meetingwithe'andividually, earnedheetailshatollow.e'a'sgrandmother,koipiehadplantedhereessometimebefore1900.memberofheiaronairulannikavalavi,koipieossessedightshrougherpaternalkinohelandaroundandonwhichhegovernmentalesthousewas

    Williams,heNat ivesofPurariDelta,204.Ifwomen'smalekindonotegulatehisprocess,hepotentialexistswherebyhesewomen'shusbands,

    theirchildrenandheirhusband'skincangainuncheckedaccessoanduseoftheseresources,hussettingthestageforlaterlanddisputes.It soutsidethescopeofthispapertodiscussthelivedrealityoflandownershipinthePurari,whichhasbecomeonlymorecomplicatedbyheoggingventures.SeeA.RumseyandJ.F.Weinereds),EmplacedMyth:h epatialandnarra t ive imensionsofknowledgenAustraliaandPapuaNewGuineaHonolulu2001).

    IhavepurposelyleftvaguethestoryIdiscussbelow,inordernottocreatejealousyamongvillagerswhenthisarticleeturnsandseadbyheMapaiocommunity.However,havenotusedpseudonymsandhaverespectedocalwishesbynarratorsobenamed.

    Aukiridiedn976andbymyeconstructionwasbornsometimearound900.HebecameamedicalaideandassistedonmedicalpatrolsthroughouttheGulfuntilhisretirementinthe1950s.Inwhatmostlikely saeferenceoAukiri,onanundatedpageofhisnotebookfrom1922,Williamsscrawledoveroneofhispages'Inftsic]Aukirif[sic]areHosp.boy).'LaterAukiri smentionedbypatrolofficerListon-BlythonhisentryforJune14th,ReturnedtoRestHouseandwasbusyoncasestill0pmMedicalAssistantAukiri, shere,he sanativeof thisvillageand greatlydoubthathespendsmuchofhisimeatVIRAmedicalstationonhecoast],whiletheGMO sawaythosic]heisnominallyincharge.'Williams,1922,NAPNG)A447,MLMSS5/768/2993;KikoriPatrolReport3926/27NAPNG),GulfProvincePatrolReports, .

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    NewXMLTemplate2006)7.8.2006-11:50am]191-206]QJPH)Invalidfolder]LOSINGTHEFOREST 03built.koipieplantedheseworeesorherson,Aukiri.Becauseofherfather'schieflystatus,koipiehadightsoplanthereesonherclan'sandandhenpassthemtohim.onouringherson'sfather'sclan,Orumako,koipienamedthereesafterapairofancestralbrothersromheirclan,oneofwhomhersonwasalsonamedafter.Typicalof'ancestralalk',hestoryofthesewoancestralbrothers,abriefaspectofwhichfollows,nvolvesmovementovervastdistances,conflictbetweenkin,adoptionanddispersal:

    Vai'indukiri ,worothers,oughtve risunderstandinghatrosesurrounding wanderingemalencestressofOreikalan ,namedAeaMari.Aea hadtumbledponhegardenoftheelderbrother,ai'i.ungryafter on g journeyromhewest,heonsumedom eananasndid.ponindinghebananas'kinsVai'iaccusedAukiriofthetheftandheyfought .Thef ightbecameheatedbutendedwhenAukiri'sos ewascutoff. oonafterwards,Aeawasfoundandai'iealisedisrror.espiteisrother'spologies,ukirief twithis followersandjoinedasemi-nomadicpeople,thePawaiians.Vai'iadoptedAeaashis daughterandmigratedtowardsthecoast joininggroupsthatwouldeventuallyhelpformtheI'aitribe.

    Today,othai'indeareegardedspicalncestorsmonghe'ai,whileukirisnvokedostablishngnaticelationshipithhecontemporaryawaiians.ivingnheurari'sinterland,heawaiiansareownheniqueositionfhavingheandsheyccupyecomehefocusfhereviouslyentionedoggingrojectsndewilrillingoperation.'hroughhesenames,hereesndexaseriesof storieshatravelupheurariiver.oday,heseamesresedonvokendecallrelationshipsetweenlanroupsndowrencreasinglysedossertresourceownership.However,hestoryofthesereesdoesnotstophere.KairiKoivi,amaternaluncletoAukiri,cutdownoneofthesetreesinthe950stomakeacanoe.Beforedoingo,KairisecuredAukiri'spermissionandhonouredheirelationshipbygivinghimtwoshellvaluablesandonechicken.Adecadelater,Erare,amanofanunrelatedclancutdowntheremainingtreetomakeacanoe.However,ErarefailedosecurepermissionocutdownhereeanddidnotcompensateAukirifordoingso.Shortlythereafter,Eraresickened.Alocalshamanwithhehelpofhisspirit-beingsimunu)emovedseveralpiecesoftheecentlyfelledree,whichhadeenagicallyhrownntorare'sody.rarelamedukiri,utheshamanefuted Erare's assertion, tellingim thatmunuad attacked him.

    PersonalcommunicationKe'aAukiri, Oct.2002.WhilehepatrilinealsuccessionprevailsnhePurari,womencouldbenitiatedftheywerehechiefs

    firstandonlychild.As earnedduringmyieldwork,I'aiwomenofchieflyineagescouldanddid)passontitles,andnsomeasesandightsoheireldeston.ThesereesmayhavealsobeenagiftbestoweduponAukiribyIkoipie'sbrothers,hismaternaluncles.Thematernalunclewasresponsiblefortheinitiationofachildintohelonghousecult,swellasforthechild'swellbeingandfrequentlygavethemhings.Williams,Nativesofth ePurariDelta,5364.eealsobid.68,13 .

    Informationegardinghisrillingrojectaneoundnhenter-Oilebsite,ttp://www.inter-oil.com/.

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    NewXMLTemplate2006)7.8.2006-11:50am]191-206]QJPH)Invalidfolder]204 OURNALOFPACIFICHISTORYTheshamanurgedEraretohaveafeasttoappeasetheangeredspirits.Hefailedtodohisandsoonafterdied.

    Capriciousncestralpirit-beings,mununhabitpecificrees,nditesnrivers,andheground.sacategory,munucoversbothhoseancestorshatlineagesayclaimoandmoregenerallyothoseeftbehind'duringancestralmigrationsandwhichnowwanderheorests.heyarehenon-humanotherthatnhabitsandenchantsheworld,ndwhosecaptureandpossessiongivestheirwnerowers.heworeesdentifiednhehotographereinhabitedymunu ,sretherargereesnvestedithncestralames.Beforeuttingownuchrees,hepirit-beingshatwellithinusteformallyaddressed,askedoleavetheirhomeandmollifiedwithafoodoffering.Onlythenwillthespiritsdosowillinglyandwithoutcausingharmtothosethatoffendedt.

    UnappeasedbyErare,hepoweroftheimunubegantoaffectAukiri,hetree'sowner,promptinghimtoorganisealargefeastofchicken,innedf i sh ,ice,sugarandea,ohichenvitedherominentenfallhe'aiongouses.Duringhensuingeast,viaaura, ocalolitician,itualhiefofheLaivanaclan,andaleadingelderintheSeventhDayAdventistChurch,openedposter-scrollsdepictingJesusandaskedhimtodrivethesedemonsfromtheland.Placatedyheood,ndheirpowerdiminishedyheowerofJesus,hespiritsoftheoldvillagesiteharmednoonehereafter.Photographssh ePathsandObjectsofHistoriesThetorieslicitedyAcenefari'pillutfitshotographicrame,movingbeyondwhathemageppearsobeaboutbyWesternstandardsofphotographicrealismandattention.'urthermore,hestorieshatemergehelpcircumventreviousnthropologicalepresentationsftheurari,hichtillinfluenceuronstructionsoday.''uringheseisualepatriationessions,Williams'hotographsecameinstrumentsfrality'.'vokingultiplehistories,hestorieshatemergedromASceneofIari'respatialpractices'thatovesheyonndutfhenvironmentndhroughime.Theyconnectancestralactionoapairof treesplantedbyamotherforhersontoheubsequentventshatollowedheireingutownoheurrenthorizonsfexpectationsfhehotographiclicitationnterviewherehephotographswereviewedandhesestorieselicited.naprocesssimilarohatdescribedyElizabethEdwardsduringD'Entrecasteauxslanders'iewingof

    Williams,Nativesofth ePurariDelta;Maher,KorikiChieftainship'." ' Edwards,TalkingVisualHistories',91.

    D.ewton,Art ty lesof th ePapuanGulf(NewYork961);B.nauft,ou t hCoastMewGuineaCultures:history,ompar ison, ialecticCambridge993).

    Langford,usp endedConversa t ions,53. xM.deCerteau,hePract iceofEverydayLifeBerkeley986),15.

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    NewXMLTemplate2006)7.8.2006-11:50am]191-206]QJPH)Invalidfolder]LOSINGTHEFOREST 05Diamondenness'shotographs,ifferentaysfeeingndulturalorientationerenscribedy'aiillagersnohishotograph'srrestedmoment.'

    Theifferentayersfnarrativeshatmergedhenalkingithe'atransformedAScenenari'ntoaopologicalobjectwherebyocalhistoriesandheirnherentspatialandemporalinkscouldbeeworked,strengthenedandenewed.'isualepatriationeturnedhisndtherphotographsackintoaflowofsociality,albeitdifferentbutneverthelesselatedoheonewhichWilliams'smagesweremeantoseize,ndwhichheclickofhisshutterhavemuted.nhedialogueshatensuedwhileookingathesephotographs,hey,likeAScenenari',becameemplatesnwhichattachmentsoandhroughrememberedsocialactioni.e.,heplantingandcuttingoftrees,easting)ndsocialrelationspatrilinealandaffinal)werere-inscribedandre-affirmed.Whiletodayommunitiesacitlynowheseonnections,heireaningsndhenatureoftheseattachmentsareactualisedhroughheoraldiscourseofelders.Throughheprocessfvisualepatriation,Williams'shotographsassistedocreateandsubstantiatehecollectivememoryworldsofthe'aicommunities,clangroupsandineages.

    If,sdwardsasrgued,photographsocuseeingndttentionncertainway',henvisualepatriatione-focuseshisseeingandttention'ydrawingheistoriansttentionoheisualriggersfdifferentulturalvisions.'saprocess,visualrepatriationenablesnarrativesthatchallengebothourownandourpredecessors'epresentations.Thusvisualepatriationenablesthecriticalreappraisalofhowwehaverepresentedandunderstoodourmutuallyentangledhistorieshathesephotographsareproducts f.Thisisanimportantstepintheprocessofreinvestingcommunitieswithadegreeofagencyandavoiceinwhatwewriteaboutthem.Photographsinaveryrealsensecreateanewspacethroughwhichesearchershecommunitieswithwhomweworkeworktheirespectivepaths',evisitingurntertwinedancestralalks',herebyenablingultipleistoriesorheuture.herefore,hileheresent-dayloggingactivitiesmaybeadicallychanginghePurari'sorests,hestorieshatarembeddednhereesanetold,enewedndreservedoruturegenerationshroughvisualepatriation.

    ABSTRACTIn922,F.E.WilliamsbeganhisirstassignmentasheAustralianTerritoryofPapua'sassistantgovernmentanthropologistnhePurariDelta.Duringhiseight-monthrip,Williamsobtainedinformationondailylife,socialrelations,materialculture,aswellasreligiousbeliefsandpractices.Hecollectedethnographicspecimens,madesketchesandooksome96photographsandused9ofthesehotographsnis 1924onograph Theativesfheurarielta, aublicationhat

    '^Edwards,VisualizingHistory',1 12.J.F.Weiner,Afterword',nRumseyandWeiner,EmplaeedMyth,36 ,43.

    " ' Edwards,RawHistories,7.

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    NewXMLTemplate2006)7.8.2006-11:50am]191-206]QJPH)Invalidfolder]206 OURNALOFPACIFICHISTORY subsequentlycameodefineheareaorEuropeans.However,Williamsobscuredheculturallyspecificaysnhichurariistoriesereocallyeproducedndnderstood.hisssayhighlightsong-termthnographicrendyhichommunitiesfheurariaveeenportrayedaswithout'history'orashavingonlyarudimentaryhistoricalconsciousnessandsuggeststhat,despitehisparticularbundleofsilences',hePurarisnotwithoutimportantstories'.