David and Dorothy Counts Collection on West New Britain
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego Library
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
Copyright 2009, 2022
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla 92093-0175
spcoll@ucsd.edu
Descriptive Summary
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla 92093-0175
Title: David and Dorothy Counts Collection on West New Britain
Creator:
Counts, David R.
Creator:
Counts, Dorothy Ayers
Identifier/Call Number: MSS 0576
Physical Description:
9 Linear feet
(13 archives boxes, 1 record carton, 2 card file boxes, and one flat box)
Physical Description:
.78 GB
of digital files
Date (inclusive): 1966-2006 (bulk 1966-1985)
Abstract: Journals, research materials, photographs, sound recordings, films and digital files created by David and Dorothy Counts,
a husband-and-wife ethnographic team. The collection focuses on West New Britain, Papua New Guinea, particuarly myths and
oral histories.
Languages:
English
.
Biography
David and Dorothy Counts both attended Southern Illinois University; David studied anthropology, and Dorothy studied political
science and anthropology. From 1966 through 1967 the Counts conducted their doctoral research in the Kondoka village in West
New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea. They received their doctorate degrees in 1968, and moved to Ontario, Canada. David
taught as a faculty member at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and Dorothy taught at the University of Waterloo in
the Department of Anthropology.
From 1975 through 1976 the Counts returned to New Britain, where they studied the Kaliai myths. In March of 1980, Dorothy
published an article in
The Journal of the Polynesian Society entitled "Akro and Gagandewa: A Melanesian Myth," based on her research in New Britain at the time.
In 1985 they returned to New Britain to conduct research for three months, from July 22nd through September 24th, in the village
of Kandoka. Dorothy studied census cards from New Britain, as well as the cause of death for the villagers of Kandoka. She
also researched domestic violence and how it affected the family structure, as well as the apparent epidemic of female suicides
in New Britain, which she noted was closely linked to spousal abuse.
In 1999 Dorothy Counts took a position as a research officer and team leader for the Secretrait of the Pacific Community,
which sponsored a multi-site study on the effects of violence towards women on the health and safety of the family. In December
of 1999, the Counts moved to the Okanagan Valley and taught anthropology at the Okanagan University College. In 2005 the Counts
became study group leaders and taught a course on Pacific Island cultures at the Society for Learning in Retirement in Okanagan.
Scope and Content of Collection
The David and Dorothy Counts Collection reflects the Counts' ethnographic trips to West New Britain, Papua New Guinea in 1966-1967,
1975-1976 and 1985. The collection includes detailed field journals (original notepads, and later typed transcriptions) kept
by both David and Dorothy Counts; drafts of their writings and research; their collection of myths and oral histories from
informants; a small amount of correspondence; and hundreds of indexed color slides. Audiovisual materials include: 33 rolls
of 8mm film with candid shots from the Kandoka village; 16mm film from 1975 and 1976 documenting the Kaliai myths; and dozens
of tape recordings on reel and audiocassette.
Arranged in seven series: 1) JOURNALS; 2) MYTHS & ORAL TRADITIONS; 3) CORRESPONDENCE, RESEARCH & WRITINGS; 4) IMAGES, 5) SOUND
RECORDINGS; 6) FILMS; and 7) DIGITAL FILES.
Restrictions
Original media formats are restricted; viewing/listening copies may be available for researchers.
Preferred Citation
David and Dorothy Counts Collection on West New Britain, MSS 576. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.
Acquisition Information
Acquired 2002, 2013, 2015.
Digital Content
This collection contains digital files.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Kaliai (Papua New Guinea people)
Tales -- Papua New Guinea -- New Britian Island
Counts, David R. -- Archives
Counts, Dorothy Ayers -- Archives
JOURNALS
Scope and Content of Series
Series 1) JOURNALS: Original journals, including field notes and diaries written on notepads, along with typed transcriptions
edited and completed later by David and Dorothy Counts. Materials are arranged in approximate chronological order of the content,
beginning in 1966 and concluding in 1985. When the creator of the journal is known, it is noted in the folder title. Notebooks
have supporting material in the DIGITAL FILES series, particularly in the folder "WNB Journals."
Box 1, Folder 1
Journal indexes
1966, 1971, 1975
General note
Includes short undated excerpt (typescript).
Box 1, Folder 2
Journal
1966 September 23-October 5
Box 1, Folder 3-4
Field journal transcript (David)
1966 October-1967 June
Box 1, Folder 5-6
Field journal transcript (Dorothy)
1966 October-1967 June
Box 1, Folder 7-8
Daily notebooks 1-11 (David)
1966 October-1967 June
Box 2, Folder 1-2
Daily notebooks 1-9 (Dorothy)
1966 October-1967 March, and undated
Box 2, Folder 3-5
Daily notebooks 1-10
1971 May 16-August 6
Box 2, Folder 6
Notes and journal 1 (David)
1971 June-July
Box 2, Folder 7
Daily notebooks (David)
1975 July 27-November
Box 3, Folder 1
Daily notebooks, including stories (Dorothy)
1975 July 5 -October
Box 3, Folder 3
Daily notebooks (Dorothy)
1981 June-July
Box 3, Folder 6
Daily notebook (Dorothy)
1985 July 12-August 14
Box 3, Folder 7
Field journal transcript
1985
General
Written by both David and Dorothy Counts in the summer of 1985 during their trip to the village of Kandoka in Papua New Guinea.
This collaborative journal is derived from field notes from both David and Dorothy that were combined chronologically. It
also contains kinship charts, scanned photographs, and an index. A digital version is available.
MYTHS & ORAL TRADITIONS
Scope and Content of Series
Series 2) MYTHS AND ORAL TRADITIONS: Materials collected by the Counts to document and translate indigenous myths and stories.
The first subseries contains drafts used in the publication of the work
The tales of Laupu: ol stori bilong Laupu (1982). The second subseries includes other notes, drafts and transcriptions, that may include some duplicative content.
Myths and oral traditions are also strongly represented in the SOUND RECORDINGS, FILMS, and DIGITAL FILES series, which includes
original recordings, and typescript drafts of translations, papers and books on the topic of myth.
Tales of Laupu (Draft Versions)
Box 4, Folder 1
Story of Gavu, as told by Jacob Mua
1967
Box 12, Folder 9
Story of Gavu (fragments)
1967
Box 4, Folder 2
Akro and Gagandewa
1966-1975
Box 4, Folder 3
Alulu: Spirits' passage
1966-1975
Box 4, Folder 4
Karanga Asosonga and the men of Uligiu
1966-1975
Box 4, Folder 6
Story of Pig and Frog
1966-1975
Box 4, Folder 7
Story of Lizard and Man
1966-1975
Box 4, Folder 8
Ignorant husband
1966-1975
Box 4, Folder 9
Origin of coconuts
1966-1975
Box 4, Folder 10
Akono and Silimala
1966-1975
Box 4, Folder 11
Akono: The origin of the Tumbuan
1966-1975
Box 4, Folder 12
Akono Tuna and Galolo
1966-1975
Box 4, Folder 13
Iriao Mili and Saparesing
1966-1975
Box 4, Folder 14
Brothers who married coconut women
1966-1975
Box 12, Folder 10
Iriao Mesa and the fifty galiki
1966-1975
Box 4, Folder 16
Kaliai short stories (various)
1966-1976
Box 12, Folder 11
Kolia traditional history
undated
Box 4, Folder 18
The story of Aragas, by Tuki of Danga
1971 June
Box 4, Folder 19
Moro and Gura (Anem version), by Lukas Suksuk of Bolo
1975 August
Box 4, Folder 20
Titikolo (Anem), by Suksuk of Bolo
1975 August
Box 4, Folder 21
The evil birth
1975 November
Box 5, Folder 1-2
Notebooks with stories
1975-1976
Box 5, Folder 3
Navoio songs
1976 February
Box 5, Folder 4
Galiki and Ruku the ghoul
1976 February
Box 5, Folder 5
Origin of spear fighting
1981 August
Box 5, Folder 6
Nde and Obe in Kaliai
1981
Box 5, Folder 7
Death visions/out of body experiences
1981
Box 5, Folder 9
Short stories from Bakove
1985
General note
30 short stories on topics ranging from customary marriages, children's stories, personal histories, and histories of the
island.
Box 5, Folder 10
West New Britain stories
1985
Box 5, Folder 13
Stories by ex-sergeant Ngaloko
undated
Box 5, Folder 15
The young man who drank tuva
undated
Box 12, Folder 12
Basikyan/Tuna, by Walasway
undated
Box 6, Folder 3-4
Kilenge stories
1971-1976
CORRESPONDENCE, RESEARCH & WRITINGS
Scope and Content of Series
Series 3) CORRESPONDENCE, RESEARCH & WRITINGS: Approximately one box of correspondence relating to the Counts' professional
work and visits to Papua New Guinea, arranged chronologically, followed by miscellaneous research materials and writings.
This series includes paper drafts, maps of research areas, personal histories of informants, and other primary source material.
The notebooks in this series contain notes on specific topics (such as language, and genealogy), as opposed to the daily accounting
of events found in the journals in Series 1.
Box 6, Folder 6
Ngaloko: Life history
undated
Box 6, Folder 7
Personal history of Kolia
undated
Box 6, Folder 8
Personal history/Biography of Camulus Kolia
1966 December
Box 6, Folder 9
Kaliai genealogy
1966-1985
Box 6, Folder 12
Kandoka village census and inventory of western and traditional goods
1966 November
Box 6, Folder 13
Miscellaneous research materials
1967-1976
Box 12, Folder 14
Recording of a meeting, Kandoka village, between Gogola, Kandoka and Kiap (transcription)
1967 February 20
General note
Topic is establishment of local government council in the area.
Box 7, Folder 1
Lusi language word list
1967
Box 7, Folder 2
Kalia lectures the Bibling people - Notes
1967 April 17
Box 7, Folder 3
Aerial photos and maps
undated
Box 7, Folder 4
Notes on adoption
undated
Box 7, Folder 6
Saparesing and Mili / English notebook
ca. 1975
Box 7, Folder 7
Counts, Dorothy. To be 'nothing but a woman' law and women's rights in Papua New Guinea (article)
1976 December
Box 7, Folder 8
Kilenge notebooks
1976
General note
Subjects include elicitation, food taboos.
Box 7, Folder 9
Constitution of West New Britain Provincial Government (Trinity Press)
ca. 1978
Box 7, Folder 10
Gifts and reciprocity notebook
1981
Box 7, Folder 12
Counts, David. 'Water' comes to Kaliai: The institution of beer in a Northwest New Britain Society (article)
1981 September
Box 7, Folder 13
Counts, Dorothy. Reproduction, family planning and the value of children in Kaliai, West New Britain (paper)
1981
General note
Presented at "People and Resources: Planning for the Future in West New Britain" (workshop in PNG).
Box 7, Folder 14
Kandoka feeder school
1981
Box 7, Folder 15
Research project proposal and forms
1985
Box 7, Folder 16
Domestic violence educational materials
1990
General note
Graphic poster and booklet.
Box 7, Folder 17
Counts, Dorothy. Kaliai women of power: examples from life and oral literature (paper)
2000
General note
Prepared for session on Mythology, University of Waterloo and Okanagan University.
Box 7, Folder 18
Counts, Dorothy and David. The Roman Catholic mission and the death of youth in Kaliai (paper)
ca. 2003
Box 7, Folder 19
Counts, Dorothy and David. Paga's ordeal (paper)
2004
General note
Prepared for a Survival at Sea Conference.
Box 7, Folder 21
Counts, David - Assorted manuscripts drafts
undated
Box 8, Folder 1-20
Binder 1 - Pages 1-19, plus index
1966-1967
Box 8, Folder 21-40
Binder 2 - Pages 20-38, plus index
1966-1967
Box 9, Folder 1-12
Binder 3 - pages 39-49, plus index
1966-1967
Box 9, Folder 13-30
Binder (unnumbered) - Pages 52-68, plus index
1971
Box 10, Folder 1-27
Binder 1 - Pages 69-94, plus index
1975-1976
Box 10, Folder 28
Binder 2 - Pages 95-106, plus index
1975-1976
West New Britain slides, prints and negatives
Box 11, Folder 1-4
Slide binder (unnumbered) - Pages 1-19, plus index
1981
Box 11, Folder 5
Slide binder (unnumbered) - Pages 1-8
1985
Box 11, Folder 6-8
Photographs and negatives album - Pages 1-68, plus index
2003
Box 13, Folder 1
Story: "Ninipuga" Sapanga, Mua
1966 November 24
Box 13, Folder 2-3
Sing-sing Rabaul
1967 July 5
General note
Kandoka village, west New Britain. Children aged 8-18 singing "borrowed" songs from the towns, in their native language. 2
copies.
Box 13, Folder 4
Lamogai; 200 word list + sample sentences
Box 13, Folder 5
Catholic Mass, Kaliai Mission, New Britain
1967 January 1
Box 13, Folder 6
Sing-sing recorded at Kilenge, New Britain
1966 October 14
Box 13, Folder 7
Instruction from Kalia to the children of Kandoka following the death of Bruno from sorcery
1967 May 28
Box 13, Folder 8
Kombei swadesh list, Gori of Kapo
Box 13, Folder 9
Kilenge language; biblical texts
Box 13, Folder 10
Local government educ. - Elias Topukur, Kandoka
1967 July 15
Box 13, Folder 11
Attention ETU! Lizette Bilodean
Box 12, Folder 15
Radio international - Dr. Counts
Box 12, Folder 16
Akro and Gagandewa reading of myth and conversation
Box 13, Folder 12
Kandoka children; Christmas song
Box 13, Folder 14
Tuvura (bullroarer)
General note
See 16mm #32-000-2000
Box 13, Folder 16
Anêm - dictations (Sakail, Hendrik)
Box 13, Folder 17
Conversation of Dao, Kota, Totu, Suraur re: myths and ninipugas
Box 13, Folder 18
Akro and Gagandewa, part 3
Box 13, Folder 19
Taveliai ololo
1975 August 23-24
Box 13, Folder 20
Atetegu - Anêm and Tok Pisin
Box 13, Folder 21
Dub of Kolias singing Ketiko; Solou; Palai and the man and other stories
Box 13, Folder 22
Mua - the origin of coconuts; Vohoku and the bumblebee; Popona sasi; Titikolo, and others
Box 13, Folder 23
Independence
1975 September 16-17
Box 13, Folder 24-27
4 recordings of Kilenga/Kalian myths
1975-1976
General note
Extensive liner notes
Box 13, Folder 28-32
Bakove 1-10 (5 cassettes)
Box 13, Folder 34
Sapanga Biokit, story of Akivlik
Box 13, Folder 35-38
Baloko - personal history, stories, etc. (4 cassettes)
ca. 1985
General note
Includes Solivoling (gender changeling story); "the child who blew away."
Box 13, Folder 40
Mua 1 - origin of fire, Clement songs
Box 14, Folder 1
Church singing, spear fighting mua
1981 August 30
Box 14, Folder 2
Mua /Akono's and the coconut girls
1975 November 25
Box 14, Folder 3
Banis tambaran mua, Kapkaoo ceremony
Box 14, Folder 4
Kota: pirao, vogi+ Kalingalaga (?) kuvu Tok pisin , Kuro Tule
1976
Box 14, Folder 5
Isumagit death vision
1981 August 5
Box 14, Folder 7
Tomas Nakala, Akono Sogo, Aokal, Paisile
Box 14, Folder 8
Anem myths-Subruk (?) of Bolo
1975 August 3
Box 14, Folder 9
Ason Palang's death vision
Box 14, Folder 11
Myths
1975 December, 1976 January
General note
Solou, the flying fox bros., the fifty akonos, Maria aseve, etc.
Box 14, Folder 12
Mua-ninipuna; the suicide and generous plus stingy
Box 14, Folder 16
Myths
General note
The women who married dogs, a siassi story, a siassi song, story of god, ninipunga, etc.
Box 14, Folder 17
Stories told by man from Potne
1976 March 14
Box 14, Folder 18
Soloum interview and song of wallaby
1975 November 16
Box 14, Folder 19
Movie soundtrack, Akro and Gagandewa
Box 14, Folder 21-22
Mua-mamugo; Ulerin in Tok Pisin
Box 14, Folder 23
Solou-ninipuga, the vohoku's kampag, Maria - the man who went fishing
Box 14, Folder 24
Wedding bruhaha
1981 July 25
Box 14, Folder 26
Maria of atalu (?)
1976 December 10
Box 14, Folder 28-29
Oskar Dao's story, with translation
1975 November 27
Box 14, Folder 32
Kota - Evikalu, names, origin of fire
1975 December 7
Box 14, Folder 34
Sapaga - Kolia: Kaogo, Kaluvia, Kukulipon
1975 November
Box 14, Folder 35-36
CBC radio international interview + Akro + Gagandewa
1974
Box 14, Folder 37
Maoki, Maria
1976 January 18
Box 14, Folder 38
Solua, Pelunga - the man who hunted crayfish + the ghost
1975 November, 1976 January
Box 14, Folder 39
Kilenge stories
1976 March
Box 14, Folder 41
Talania - origin of vakumo
Box 14, Folder 42
Ongaia + stories
1976 February
Box 14, Folder 43
Katimu, Magelo + Moroka
1975 September
Box 14, Folder 46
Sunday Lotu, Kandoka
1975 November 2
Box 14, Folder 47-49
Message to folks + Aolu songs
1967 March, June
Box 14, Folder 52
Mourning for Rosina, Barku songs, Kamilus Kolia
Box 14, Folder 53
Anem myths - suksuk of Volo
1975 August 3
Box 14, Folder 54
RF Salisbury ("the anthropologist as mediator"); Aolu songs
1971 November 16
Box 14, Folder 55
Solou - Ninipunga
1975 November 17
Box 14, Folder 56
Maria, Sapaga Bisket, Voro talk about rimir
Box 14, Folder 57
Church service in Kandoka, sing sing for traditional game, Lui playing juice harp
Box 14, Folder 60
Sapaga + Sigi - Ninipuga
1975 November 9
Box 14, Folder 61
Singsing: Kandoka feeder school opening
Box 14, Folder 62
Ninipuga - suksuk of Volo
1975 August 24
FILMS
Scope and Content of Series
Series 6) FILMS: 8mm and 16mm films from the Counts' trips to New Britain in 1975-1976 and 1985. This series is arranged into
two subseries: A) 8 mm Film and B) 16 mm Film.
A) 8 mm Film: Thirty-three reels of footage shot in 1985 by the Counts. The series contains reformatted versions (archival
on beta, and a VHS user copy). The footage focuses on the village of Kandoka, as well as surrounding villages in New Britain.
B)16 mm Film: Eleven reels of footage, taken during the Counts' trip in 1975 and 1976, containing information about the Kaliai
myths. Dorothy Counts used this footage as part of her research for the article "Akro and Gagandewa: A Melanesian Myth," published
in 1980. The series also contains archival and user video copies of the footage.
Box 15, Folder 1
Village of Kandoka - Archival master, Part 1 and Part 2, Betacam SP
1985
Box 15, Folder 2
Village of Kandoka - User copy, Part 1 and Part 2, VHS
1985
Box 16
Reels A-E, and miscellaneous footage
1985
Box 15, Folder 3
Kaliai Myth - Archives master, Betacam SP
Box 15, Folder 4
Kaliai Myth - User copy, VHS
Box 17, Folder 1
Kaliai Myth - Reel 14592, Original negative
1975 August 12
Box 17, Folder 2
Kaliai Myth - Reel 14751, Dr. Allan Frost outtakes
1975 August 28
Box 17, Folder 3
Kaliai Myth - Reel 14839, Outtakes reel #4
1975 September 10
Box 17, Folder 4
Kaliai Myth - Reel 15028, Forest Research Services outtakes
1975 October 2
Box 17, Folder 5
Kaliai Myth - Reel 15123, Original negative
1975 October 15
Box 17, Folder 6
Kaliai Myth - Reel 7242 - Reel 1, Original negative
1975 November 3
Box 17, Folder 7
Kaliai Myth - Reel 7242 - Reel 2, Original negative
1975 November 3
Box 17, Folder 8
Kaliai Myth - Reel 15594, Original negative
1975 December 16
Box 17, Folder 9
Kaliai Myth - Reel 15604, Original negative
1975 December 16
Box 17, Folder 10
Kaliai Myth - Reel 16215, Original negative
1976 April 9
Box 17, Folder 11
Kaliai Myth - Reel 16400, Original negative
1976 May 18
DIGITAL FILES
Scope and Content of Series
Series 7) DIGITAL FILES: Approximately .78 GB (2,300 files) of digital content from a flash drive, with files maintained in
the original directory structure in which the Counts saved them. There are six main subfolders. Click on the directory tree
lists in the inventory below to peruse file titles.
Link to digital inventory - File directory report
Link to digital inventory - File directory report