RACE OF PIGMIES DISCOVERED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3594, 3 February 1927, Page 3

RACE OF PIGMIES DISCOVERED.

IN NEW GUINEA

London, February 1

‘,The Times” Cairo correspondent says the discovery of an extraordinary primitive race of pigmies in the middle mountain country of New Guinea, not previously penetrated by Europeans, and encounters with a giant race of Papuans averaging over six feet in height, whose erpression was made more ferocious by .cross-skewers of wood through their nostrils, were described by Professor Stirling on arrival at Port Said.

The professor says the pigmies are a primitive people without king oi' any kind of organised government. Each village is under a headman and elders?. Their- average hei-

ght is four feet* They jiave wholly black- skins aud sturdy, well-knit bodies, and are friendly and of cheerful temperament. Their clothing is only a small loin doth. They wear charms round their necks and occasionally thick netting over their heads. Professor Stirling found no traces' of organised religion, neither a temple, nor totems, nor any place of worship, or priests. They are still in the stone age, regarding implements, using stone axes, hammers and weapons.