In a German colony

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

79365

Title

In a German colony

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in a German colony in the Bismarck Archipelago, this narrative follows an observer's four-week stay at Herbertshöhe. Blending ethnographic detail with colonial satire, the text explores interactions between European planters and indigenous Melanesian peoples, examining cultural clashes, local customs, and the harsh realities of tropical life.

Summary up to 500 words

In B. Pullen-Burry's *In a German Colony*, the narrator arrives at Herbertshöhe on New Britain to spend four weeks in a remote German colony, marking a departure from civilization into an environment defined by intense heat and volcanic instability. The narrative oscillates between personal observation and anthropological study, facilitated by Dr. Thurnwald, who investigates local languages and customs. The setting is vividly portrayed through the comfort of verandahs offering respite from the sun and the daily interactions with native servants like Docman and 'Miss Collars,' whose domestic habits provide comic relief against the backdrop of colonial life. The text details the lives of indigenous populations, distinguishing between the Gazelle Peninsula kanakas, the isolated Bainings who survived a volcanic upheaval, and the Sulkas known for their distinctive head shapes. Themes of matriarchy, clan structures, and the pervasive influence of magic societies like Ingiet are woven into the account. The narrator contrasts the 'civilized' European planters, driven by copra trade and patriotic fervor, with the indigenous people they often dismiss as 'lazy' or 'savage.' A significant portion focuses on the plantation at Kabakaul, managed by a New Zealand woman. Here, the narrator witnesses daily life, including native laborers being paid in kind, fishing expeditions, and the constant threat of volcanic activity. The story captures a poignant love triangle involving a Buka islander who returns to his wife despite colonial restrictions, highlighting the tension between European law and indigenous traditions. The narrative concludes with a dramatic earthquake, underscoring the volatile environment where nature and human conflict intersect. Ultimately, the work serves as both a travelogue and a critique of colonial attitudes, revealing the complexities of race, culture, and power in the late 19th-century Pacific.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/79365.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg79365.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-08-19 20:53 UTC

Categories

• History
• Travel