HEAD-HUNTERS OF FORMOSA

Hokitika Guardian, 16 April 1928, Page 4

HEAD-HUNTERS OF FORMOSA

(JJy GONNOSKE KO-MAI, The Japanese Poet.)

Ju Eormosajtliere still exist thousands of aborigines scattered among the deep woods and Inr-01l recesses of overhanging mountains. These aborigines maintain many a strange custom lianded down from the dim prehistoric; age. The most interesting of all, according to a Japanese scientist who recently made an investigation on the spot, is tile inner motive ■•which prompts the much-dreaded natives to indulge in head-cutting. Although the motive may he partly hate nr sheer lust for a lillo or pistol, mostly it conics from an inborn ambition to prove the killer’s courage. Particularly does this apply to youth. Young, vigorous blood stirs them on to achieve something: great, and the courageous feat of head-cutting is regarded as a. sure sign of valour. The head-exhibition festival is therefore regarded as the greatest annua 1 event among the Pormosan aborigines. At this time all the distinguished head hunters foregather and are praised by their excited kith and kin. These bravo head-hunters seem the only per sons capable of causing a huge sensation among the sweet- marriageable daughters of the crowding aborigines. if any native finds a girl whom lu adores and who yet refuses to heroine his sweetheart, then he goes out head hunting. He would carry with him provisions enough to last for several days, together with his savage sword and an old-fashioned ritle. Crouching under a dense wood or overhanging nick, he would patiently wait lor days for anyone who should happen to pushes way. Once he discerned any stranger approaching, he would most cautiously aim nL him ; hut never would hr- lire unless and until the stranger mime well within a few yards’ distance. For it is their unwritten law that one should he able to kill his unhappy vieiiAll at a shot. Beware of the head-

cutter’s gun! As soon as he was favoured with a victim he would chop the head oil ■and hasten hack to his prospective sweetheart, to whom he would most proudlv show the limit ol his victoi\. ■ ■ Look ! What a iiiagniiieont piece that I brought thee.” I lie moment the girl witnessed the splendid trophy she would surrender hersell at the feet of the conqueror as il electrihod ! Curiously enough, il souieiimos happens that even the nature-loving, honest aborigines ol the Land ot Perpetual Sunshine have what is termed •• I'Tih-fu-gonkwa ” an uproarious quarrel between man and wile. Ihe moment it has reached an irroriiwiiitlilc stage the husband goes out headhunting without attempting any tur--1 her dispute with his excited lady, it the wife sees her man returning with a head she at once forgets her erstwhile angel* mill turns into an adorable, obedient wife!

When a young hoy is insulted or disgraced hel'ore his lellow-coliirades h; gets terribly excited, and leaves them immediately to hunt heads, therein aiming to restore or regain his honour and good mime at home. In a word, teliind the head-hunting feats there lies always a hidden motive me. the bravest of all our tribe! " a pride that causes many a lliroli to the primitive heart of our dear l•'l.•rmosau natives. | leads. expiKvsd ami bleached, are later the most eherished deeoral ions on Hie owners’ hemmrable head-shelves - t | u . snereil seat of their invaluable bruseludd t reasures.