The World About Us

LatestS10 • E7 - Voices in the Forest

The beautiful plumes of the birds of paradise are greatly sought by the highland people of Papua New Guinea, who stalk the forests for days in search of this feathered gold. But why an almost mystical fascination with bird feathers? The village men know the birds well - in particular the breath-taking mating dance of the blue bird. It seems they use the magic of the plumes to gain the special qualities they believe the birds possess.

25 Oct 1981