H. J. Redmond, Patrol Officer, Amboin Patrol Post, October 25, 1962

Found a group of GADIOs on trading expedition to SUMARIUP. They were just as surprised as we, they run into bush parallel to track. Much gesticulating and shouting. Carriers panic slightly and some begin to flee. Police calm them. Self and interpreter go forward and speak with GADIOs. ...They viewed demonstration of rifle fire with awe. A portable radio transfixed them with utter astonishment. ...The GADIOs have an astounding appearance. They are fine physical specimens and rather more impressive then the average KARAWARI native. They are fairly tall, lean types. Average height would be about 5'8". Their bodies are heavily muscled and without fat. ...Typical dress consists of a number of cane hoops fastened around the waist from which are suspended strips of grass and flowers. Their hair is matted and plaited and hangs nearly shoulder length. Most of the men were heavily bearded. On their heads they wear beret/ skull cap like headwear. These caps are made of beaten bark and are held in place by long needles of cassowary bone. On top of these caps are pinned large tree leaves. These leaves (Breadfruit) are dried by the sun. ...Foot-long cassowary quills pierce the nose and circular bones the ears. Long, thin, curving bones from the tail feathers of the Bird of Paradise also hang along the nostrils. Ropes of girigiri are stretched from ear to ear, across the forehead. Ropes of girigiri and tambu are fastened around the necks and waists. ...All the men carried beautifully curved and decorated bows and arrows. Some of the carriers tried to purchase a set of arrows but the owners refused to part with them.

Gadio country has since been visited by missionaries & anthropologists. Yet, in several tiny island villages, I sensed a distrust, an unease, I felt nowhere else.

Fear has kept villages isolated, even after tribal warfare stopped. In one valley I stood on a hilltop looking out over a forested valley and asked about a settlement, smoke from which rose in the distance. No one had ever been there. No one knew anyone who had. No one knew a single member of that not-too-distant but once-hostile village. There were only legendary accounts.

When we passed around photographs of these legendary strangers, there was absolute fascination. I saw no evidence of fear. My impression was that in one amazing stroke, fear was reduced & an element of familiarity crept in.