Initiation on Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia as shown in a 19th century photograph. Four or five youths were chosen and taken into a hut to do various forms of labour, learn the tribal rules and had to always wear the curious hats shown in the picture. When their hair filled the hat the period of seclusion was over.

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Initiation on Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia as shown in a 19th century photograph. Four or five youths were chosen and taken into a hut to do various forms of labour, learn the tribal rules and had to always wear the curious hats shown in the picture. When their hair filled the hat the period of seclusion was over. From Customs of The World, published circa 1913.

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Size: 3295px × 5326px
Photo credit: © Classic Image / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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