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06977_Field_TCUM T542.txt
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1996-04-10
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932b
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16 lines
The traditional enemies of the Willigiman-Wallalua
are the Wittaia, a people exactly like themselves in
language, dress and custom. . . . Every week or two the
Willigiman-Wallalua and their enemies arrange a formal
battle at one of the traditional fighting grounds. In
comparison with the catastrophic conflicts of “civilized”
nations, these frays seem more like a dangerous field
sport than true war. Each battle lasts but a single day,
always stops before nightfall (because of the danger of
ghosts) or if it begins to rain (no one wants to get his
hair or ornaments wet). The men are very accurate with
their weapons—they have all played war games since they
were small boys—but they are equally adept at dodging,
and hence are rarely hit by anything.
The truly lethal part of this primitive warfare is not