Post #511973 by Babalu on Fri, Feb 19, 2010 10:14 AM

Wayfarer, That image was propaganda from the New Guinea Campaign 1941. The only thing that it really shows for sure is the racial attitude that we had as a population back then. I believe that the written text was one artist's way of showing how natives spoke...thankfully, we've come a long way.

On 2010-02-17 16:30, artsnyder wrote:
This entire discussion is of interest to me and to others involved in the Tiki culture, of course--if for only the fact that Don, when he invented Tiki, used the 1930s version of popular fantasizing about the people and life of the "South Seas" as the fabric on which he painted the fantasy world of Tiki.
We who enjoy the Tiki culture have truly little interest in the anthropology of Micronesia and Melanesia, except to know what was really going on there during the time of Donn's creation of our "world of fantasy and friendship" that influenced his creativity.
Or, perhaps, as the result of living in Don's world, we have become interested in the peoples and their homelands whose handicrafts (or fantasy copies thereof) we collect. The study of their history and traditions and indeed the story of their being brought into the Western world with or without their desire or permission, is a meritorious one that should be undertaken by more around the world. But it is truly not the story of Tiki.
Actually the study of WWII in the Pacific is likewise worthwhile as we learn from it the merit of bravery and heroism expressed by sacrifice in battle (eg: John Basilone). But once again, while of great interest to us as Americans and as human beings, it is not the story of Tiki.
So, with a tip of the hat to the amateur anthropologists and historians who have entertained us so much with their research and writing here, I believe that it is time to return to the world that Donn created for us, but that never existed except in our hearts and minds.

Art,

you certainly pegged me right for being a amateur historian...and honestly, I don't think one could group me in with being an anthropologist at all. I'm just an artist doing a little research for my own studio needs, and sharing some of my findings, as well as posing a few questions to my Ohana here on TC to help me down my path of discovery. I feel that this thread will in the end turn out to be helpful in someway to myself and others here. I also feel that it fits wonderfully within the context of this forum. The craft and architecture of New Guinea does have it's place within Polynesian Pop. The US troops that were stationed in New Guinea during 1941 through 1944 is in case some of the "first" real contact we had as a Nation with the Pacific Island chain "in the war effort", and it might, or might not have had some type of impact on Polynesian Pop. who knows? What I do know for sure is that questions asked in this, and all fields of endeavor is what keeps us all interested. Oh, and let's not forget rum...that probably helps to keep our interest alive as well :)

This thread has already helped to branched out another thread which has the potential to be one of the most interesting threads here on TC in my opinion...go to Big Bro's thread -

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=35535&forum=1&12

Art, you may be able to help them out some? I can't help but notice that the building in your banner here on TC has some amazing resemblances to the picture I posted prior taken in 1943 of a native New Guinea(NG)village...Are the images in your banner below vintage, or are they new?

I haven't been up to visit your restaurant since it was Sam's...I hope to make it up there soon. I hear nothing but good things about it :)

Taken by a solider in NG in 1943

closer view of the structures on a different image - these structures look almost new and very well constructed. It would be really interesting to find out if they were built by the war effort for the native peoples for their help?...

compared to say, these structures (image comes from the same veteran).

or, from a different source, sorry, I can't read what this card says...

Interesting couple of photos...

On a unrelated note of interest - in 1944 the USO had a tour to NG - pictured below are: Martha Tilton, Larry Adler, Carole Landis, Jack Benny, June Bruner.

The veteran who put this stuff online says "June was a concert pianist, Larry a virtuoso harmonica player, Carole a well known actress, Jack we all know, Martha was an actress and a big band singer as well. I do not know the identity of the officer greeting them." and also "Martha Tilton was a popular songstress who sang with Benny Goodman's band. Larry Adler was a harmonica player who would later get involved with the House Committee of Unamerican Activities because of his political beliefs. Carole Landis was a l940's sex symbol who committed suicide over a tragic love affair with Rex Harrison."

and..."Carole Landis got a bit of heat for fraternizing with this New Guinean Man. She was the one behind his socializing with the troupe."

Ok, I know they said it was uncomfortable over there, however, I wouldn't mind posting up in this soliders camp for a few nights...I love those old canvas tents.

This is a photo of the native "headhunters" performing for the troops -

I know it's not, but this guy looks like the Goof to me :)

[ Edited by: Babalu 2010-02-19 10:30 ]