Magic Transistor

Māori Tā Moko

Tete d'un Guerrier de la Nouvelle Zelande (Native Maori warrior from the Island of Aotearoa), Paris, 1774.

This engraving above is by John Webber; the artist who was assigned to accompany James Cook’s third expedition to explore the Pacific. Webber was the first European artist to document the appearance and culture of the Mowachaht people who occupied Nootka Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The Mowachaht were part of a larger group of linguistically related tribes called the Nuu-Chah-Nulth, a people who have been historically referred to as the Nootka. (1778)

Edward S. Curtis. Koskimo. 1914.

S.F. Caboose #1144

Mu Lost Continent of Mu: Motherland of Men [James Churchward; (1851–1936) ] Hypothetical continent; Mu is the name of a hypothetical continent that allegedly existed in one of Earth's oceans, but disappeared at the dawn of human history. The concept and the name were proposed by 19th century traveler and writer Augustus Le Plongeon, who claimed that several ancient civilizations, such as those of Egypt and Mesoamerica, were created by refugees from Mu—which he located in the Atlantic Ocean.] This concept was popularized and expanded by James Churchward, who asserted that Mu was once located in the Pacific. The existence of Mu was disputed already in Le Plongeon's time. Today, scientists universally dismiss the concept of Mu (and of other lost continents like Lemuria) as physically impossible, since a continent can neither sink nor be destroyed in the short period of time required by this premise. Mu is today considered to be a fictional place. [The Children of Mu (1931), and The Sacred Symbols of Mu (1933)]

Papua New Guinea: [Huli-Jebo] Decorated Human Skull #21 Boar Tusk, Shell, Human Bone. [Officially, headhunting doesn't exist in Borneo, though isolated jungle beheadings are still reported there. In former times, men would awaken the spirit of courage, 'Bali Akang', to assist them during headhunting expeditions. After decapitating the enemy, great homecoming celebrations awaited returning warriors. The brains were carefully extracted through the nostrils, then fresh 'Ulu' (Heads) were placed in plaited 'Rattan' nets and smoke cured over fires. Dried skulls provided the most powerful magic in the world, vital transfusions of energy. A good head could save a village from plague, produce rain, ward off evil spirits, or triple rice yields. The 'Dayak' people believed a man's spirit continued to inhabit his head after death. Surrounded by palm leaves, heads were offered food and cigarettes already lit for smoking so their spirits would forgive, forget, and feel welcome in their new home. New heads increased the prestige of the owner and impressed sweethearts; they were an initiation into manhood. In some tribes, a head's power can increase over time; cherished skulls are handed down from generation to generation. In other tribes, a head's magic fades with age, so fresh heads are always needed. In remote 'Kalimantan' villages, on Borneo Island in Indonesia, travelers can still find fine examples of 'Dayak' head hunting skulls on display.] The 'Dayak' People ; Borneo Island, Indonesia.