In the South Seas

1948, 11 Minutes

In the South Seas provides a brief, post World War Two introduction to the lifestyle of the indigenous people of the Trobriand Islands, which lie off the southeast coast of Papua New Guinea. At the time, Papua New Guinea was under the administration of the Australian government, which was involved in providing health care and scientific assistance to the region. This program looks at a survey of living conditions and health testing carried out by Australian researchers.

The survey covers traditional diet, agriculture, fishing and trade (bartering food locally and selling cash crops such as copra and pearls internationally). The result is a unique and valuable archival record of life on the islands.

An Australian National Film Board Production. Produced by the Department of Information.
© National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.