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The BBC has just shown a program on the Trobriand Islands, described as one of the most remote places on earth. Just north-east of Australia, due east of Papua New Guinea and west of the Solomons, to most Americans they are best described as near Guadalcanal of Pacific War infamy.
Discovered by a Frenchman and then colonized by the British and Australians, the archipelago is now part of independent Papua New-Guinea, a Commonwealth country with the Queen as head of state. The islanders do not use money. but goods are exchanged with yams and shells forming an exchange medium. Incomes are around $1 a day.
Anthropolgists have been fascinated by the islands` culture, perhaps because teenage sex is not only tolerated but encouraged. This must have been both shocking and intriguing to the strait-laced Victorian anglicans and presbyterians who established missions there. In the 21st century the islands have been added to the cruise ship itinerary. We saw a huge P&O ship anchored off-shore, in he film.
The film showed dogs living amongst the natives. I cannot link to a video. But A better photo can be seen on this link. https://www.allenfotowild.com/FacesofMelanesia/Kitava-Islands-Trobriand/
This shows a Kitava Island dog wading out to greet a British researcher. The male dog is stronger and bulkier than a typical Podengo in Portugal and has a black rather than pink snout. The tip of the tail is white rather than brown. But there are many similarities.
The Trobrianders are skilful sailors and can cover hundreds of miles of the Pacific in their lateen-rigged outrigger canoes. I would guess the dogs came from nearby New Guinea and are close relatives of the Singing Dog. But unlike the singing dogs, they live with humans in villages and are given food and water by them.
The Trobrianders live off yams, sweet potatoes, taro, tapioca, banana, papaya, pineapple, guava, water melon, fish and coconuts. Their diet has not changed for 23,000 years - it is 69%carbohydrate, 21% fat and 10% protein. Nobody in the film was fat;they get lots of vitamins, minerals and soluble fibre, but little salt, in their diet.
A Swedish dietician, who studied older inhabitants, found no sign of dementia, few cardiovascular problems or strokes and low blood pressure. The dogs look fit and healthy, too!
Discovered by a Frenchman and then colonized by the British and Australians, the archipelago is now part of independent Papua New-Guinea, a Commonwealth country with the Queen as head of state. The islanders do not use money. but goods are exchanged with yams and shells forming an exchange medium. Incomes are around $1 a day.
Anthropolgists have been fascinated by the islands` culture, perhaps because teenage sex is not only tolerated but encouraged. This must have been both shocking and intriguing to the strait-laced Victorian anglicans and presbyterians who established missions there. In the 21st century the islands have been added to the cruise ship itinerary. We saw a huge P&O ship anchored off-shore, in he film.
The film showed dogs living amongst the natives. I cannot link to a video. But A better photo can be seen on this link. https://www.allenfotowild.com/FacesofMelanesia/Kitava-Islands-Trobriand/
This shows a Kitava Island dog wading out to greet a British researcher. The male dog is stronger and bulkier than a typical Podengo in Portugal and has a black rather than pink snout. The tip of the tail is white rather than brown. But there are many similarities.
The Trobrianders are skilful sailors and can cover hundreds of miles of the Pacific in their lateen-rigged outrigger canoes. I would guess the dogs came from nearby New Guinea and are close relatives of the Singing Dog. But unlike the singing dogs, they live with humans in villages and are given food and water by them.
The Trobrianders live off yams, sweet potatoes, taro, tapioca, banana, papaya, pineapple, guava, water melon, fish and coconuts. Their diet has not changed for 23,000 years - it is 69%carbohydrate, 21% fat and 10% protein. Nobody in the film was fat;they get lots of vitamins, minerals and soluble fibre, but little salt, in their diet.
A Swedish dietician, who studied older inhabitants, found no sign of dementia, few cardiovascular problems or strokes and low blood pressure. The dogs look fit and healthy, too!
