Bruce stands in the main clearing of the old village site of Yibihilu, which has since been overgrown by the intruding forest. For Gebusi as well as for Bruce, seeing old habitation sites brings back nostalgic memories of past experiences and of people who have died. |
The main village path and houses of Yibihilu as they appeared back in 1981. The view is almost identical to that of the previous photograph, which was taken seventeen years later, in 1998. |
Sayu and Bulobey prepare a sago oven for Bruce’s final feast, 1998 |
Rolls of steamed sago and palm spathe plates of rice and fish are amassed for distribution at the final feast |
Bruce enjoys festivities with two villagers, in mixed costuming, at his final feast |
Traditional dancing in full costume at the final feast |
A woman and her son from Gasumi Corners watch traditional dancing at the final feast |
Villagers listen to string-band singing at the final feast |
Disco dancing in Gasumi Corners at the final feast |
Boys playing in costumes made of leaves on the evening of Bruce’s final feast. |
Some of the young friends I will miss at Gasumi Corners |
The ghost of the past fades into the present. This image is an accidental (fated?!) double exposure of a dancer who performed at the final feast superimposed on a landscape photo taken the following morning. |
