First Contact in Papua New Guinea

First Contact in Papua New Guinea… One of the most extraordinary stories from Papua New Guinea is the discovery of the highland people on the island of New Guinea. Isolated from the outside world for millennia. Their first contact with modern civilization occurred just over 90 years ago, in 1932

Under Australian administration, colonization efforts in Papua New Guinea were confined to coastal regions. The rugged, mountainous interior was considered too inhospitable to explore. Leading to the widespread assumption that it was uninhabited. Who, it was reasoned, could thrive in such remote and challenging conditions?

Yet concealed within the highlands was a vibrant and self-sufficient world. An entire ecosystem of people had flourished in isolation for centuries, untouched by the outside world.

First Contact in Papua New Guinea – Michael Leahy

The first documented contact with the highland people was made in 1932 by Michael Leahy, a prospector from Toowoomba, Queensland. Leahy, his brother Dan, and Patrol Officer James Taylor were commissioned to explore the region in search of gold.

Over four arduous years, they traversed the highlands, encountering breathtaking landscapes and ancient cultures unlike anything they had imagined.

Remarkably, given the era, Michael Leahy owned a Leica camera. Which he used to capture an extensive series of photographs. Creating a rare and invaluable visual record of this extraordinary encounter.

Alongside his photographs, Leahy meticulously documented his daily experiences in a journal. Providing a detailed and firsthand account of an expedition that would forever change the understanding of Papua New Guinea’s highlands and its people.

The misconception that the highlands were uninhabited stemmed from the imposing mountain chains that run east to west across the region. Those peaks appeared to form an impenetrable barrier, isolating the north from the south.

What explorers did not realize was that two parallel mountain ranges concealed fertile valleys in between. Which were home to a substantial population of highland communities that had thrived in isolation for millennia.

Tribal Life…

Those highland societies were profoundly insular, consisting of thousands of small, self-reliant villages.

Each village operated within a complex web of alliances and rivalries. Often guided by the adage “my enemy’s enemy is my friend.”

The constant threat posed by venturing beyond tribal boundaries created an environment where travel was rare.

Leaving even nearby communities isolated from one another.

The fertile soils of the highland valleys provided an abundance of resources. Ensuring self-sufficiency and eliminating the need for trade or exploration.

Effectively, the highlands were a “Lost World” – a hidden human ecosystem cut off from the rest of the planet. Here, communities existed in what was essentially a Stone Age lifestyle. Untouched by modern influences or external contact for thousands of years.

First Contact in Papua New Guinea – More From Michael Leahy…

Michael Leahy meticulously documented his expeditions into the highlands of New Guinea. Armed with his Leica film camera, he also captured striking images of the highland scenery and his interactions with the region’s people and tribes. He also utilized a movie camera to film pivotal moments, creating a visual legacy that still fascinates today.

Leahy’s detailed notes and records culminated in his book, Exploration into Highland New Guinea. Offering an in-depth account of his groundbreaking journeys. Meanwhile, his film footage served as a cornerstone for Bob Connolly’s award-winning documentaries (see below), which vividly bring these explorations to life.

Among the most fascinating moments documented was the preparation for the resupply of Leahy’s expedition by aircraft. The delivery was scheduled for a precise day. Which required the creation of an airstrip in a suitable location – a significant challenge in the rugged highlands. Remarkably, the plane successfully located and landed on the makeshift strip, a moment immortalized on film. That part of the film is available on YouTube and you can view it below.

First Contact – Bob Connolly

Michael Leahy’s journals and images were discovered in 1983 by Australian writers and filmmakers Bob Connolly and Robyn Anderson.

So fascinated were they by the discovery they went on to make the award-winning documentary First Contact. They also wrote an excellent book of the same name.

Back To: Understanding Papua New Guinea