Humboldt Bay

Papuan men were adorned with a variety of smaller designs, mainly as decoration. The most common motif was the fish-eye, represented by circles on the forehead, hands and calves. Almost all men would have a fish-eye tattoo, a bow and arrow or a frog. Motu men were allowed to tattoo themselves or their daughters with status-enhancing symbols to mark notable achievements. Leading a lokatai, a trade mission in which a fleet of sailing canoes covered enormous distances to barter goods, was one such achievement. A warrior would receive special marks of honour for killing an enemy. These marks were sometimes passed on from father to son so that his accomplishments would live on. Motu marked killing a man with two broad lines over the back and some smaller designs on the chest and shoulders. The warrior could also wear a hornbill beak in his hair. Designs signifying killing a woman or a child were less elaborate, and the beak worn in the hair was from a less venerated bird.