Introduction
-The Tolai Tribe is a cannibal tribe that lives in Papua New Guinea.
-For human meat they only eat foreigners, so if you are a Papua New Guinean, you don't need to be afraid of anything.
-the Tolai Tribe had eaten 4 fijian explorers in 1878
-the Tolai tribe worship a spirit called Dukduk
-the Tolais speak Kuanua as their first language
-For human meat they only eat foreigners, so if you are a Papua New Guinean, you don't need to be afraid of anything.
-the Tolai Tribe had eaten 4 fijian explorers in 1878
-the Tolai tribe worship a spirit called Dukduk
-the Tolais speak Kuanua as their first language
Where?
The Tolai live on the Gazelle Peninsula and the Duke York Islands of East New Britain, which are both in the New Guinea Islands Region of Papua New Guinea.
They are ethnically close kin to the people of New Ireland and are believed to have moved to the Gazelle Peninsula relatively recently, and have forced the Baining Tribe to move westwards.
They are ethnically close kin to the people of New Ireland and are believed to have moved to the Gazelle Peninsula relatively recently, and have forced the Baining Tribe to move westwards.
Religions
Most of the Tolais usually call themselves Christians, and are mainly either Roman Catholic or United Church.
Christianity was introduced to the tribe when some Methodist ministers and teachers from Fiji arrived in the New Guinea islands region in 1875. Unfortunately, the Tolai ate 4 of the missionaries, causing the leader of the missionaries, George Brown, to launch a punitive expedition that resulted in a number of Tolais being killed and several villages burnt down.
Although there were many Christian Tolais in the tribe, there were still some Tolais that still believed in old beliefs, traditions, and sorcery. Some also believed in the female spirits of the Tubuans, even performing secret ceremonies with initiates.
Christianity was introduced to the tribe when some Methodist ministers and teachers from Fiji arrived in the New Guinea islands region in 1875. Unfortunately, the Tolai ate 4 of the missionaries, causing the leader of the missionaries, George Brown, to launch a punitive expedition that resulted in a number of Tolais being killed and several villages burnt down.
Although there were many Christian Tolais in the tribe, there were still some Tolais that still believed in old beliefs, traditions, and sorcery. Some also believed in the female spirits of the Tubuans, even performing secret ceremonies with initiates.
The Tolai Dukduk
The Dukduk is a spirit which takes a visible and probably tangible form. It appears at certain times, usually appearing the day a new moon becomes visible. The occasion is announced a month beforehand by old men, and the Dukduk is believed to be owned by one of the old men.
During that month, lots of food is prepared for the Dukduk, and any young man that doesn't gather enough food will be given only one warning. The next time he doesn't prepare enough food, he will get killed.
Usually a day before the Dukduk's expected arrival, all the women usually disappear due to the fact that if they are caught by the Dukduk, they will be carried off into the bush, never to be seen again.
The Dukduks will reach the tribe by canoe, arriving at night. There are usually two Dukduks that dress up like a bird. Anyone who touches the Dukduks will instantly get tomahawked by the Dukduk.
The Dukduk also has the right to kill any man on the spot for no reason. It frequently does this to get the young men to fear it.
The young men then face a 14-day course where they have to serve the Dukduks and get beaten by them, toughening the young men up. The Dukduk visit a tribe 6 times a year, and after facing the Dukduks 6 times, the young men will be called a man.
During that month, lots of food is prepared for the Dukduk, and any young man that doesn't gather enough food will be given only one warning. The next time he doesn't prepare enough food, he will get killed.
Usually a day before the Dukduk's expected arrival, all the women usually disappear due to the fact that if they are caught by the Dukduk, they will be carried off into the bush, never to be seen again.
The Dukduks will reach the tribe by canoe, arriving at night. There are usually two Dukduks that dress up like a bird. Anyone who touches the Dukduks will instantly get tomahawked by the Dukduk.
The Dukduk also has the right to kill any man on the spot for no reason. It frequently does this to get the young men to fear it.
The young men then face a 14-day course where they have to serve the Dukduks and get beaten by them, toughening the young men up. The Dukduk visit a tribe 6 times a year, and after facing the Dukduks 6 times, the young men will be called a man.
An Expedition Gone Wrong
As mentioned previously, 4 Fijian Christian missionaries had been devoured by the Tolai Tribe in 1878. That had caused the expedition's leader, George Brown, to lead a punitive expedition which resulted in the deaths of some Tolai tribespeople and the destruction of a few villages.
Recently in 2007, the Tolai have apologised to the Fijian High Commisioner, Ratu Isoa. The apology was accepted. At the celebration of the event, Papua New Guinea's Governor-General Paulias Matane told the crowd he appreciated the work of the early Fijian missionaries spreading Christianity in the islands region. Hurray!
Recently in 2007, the Tolai have apologised to the Fijian High Commisioner, Ratu Isoa. The apology was accepted. At the celebration of the event, Papua New Guinea's Governor-General Paulias Matane told the crowd he appreciated the work of the early Fijian missionaries spreading Christianity in the islands region. Hurray!
Famous Tolais
Sir Ronald Tovue -former premier of East New Britain
Sir Alkan Tololo -first citizen chancellor of UPNG and Unitech, later Vudal.
Sir Rabbie Namaliu -former Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea
Sir Paulias Matane- Governor General of Papua New Guinea
Sir Henry ToRobert -former Governer of the Bank of Papua New Guinea
Sir John Kaputin- Secretary General of ACP-EU 2005 to present
George Telek- singer
Sir Alkan Tololo -first citizen chancellor of UPNG and Unitech, later Vudal.
Sir Rabbie Namaliu -former Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea
Sir Paulias Matane- Governor General of Papua New Guinea
Sir Henry ToRobert -former Governer of the Bank of Papua New Guinea
Sir John Kaputin- Secretary General of ACP-EU 2005 to present
George Telek- singer
