Soil and Cultivation in the Papua New Guinea Highlands: 1. Indigenous Appraisal of the Variable Agricultural Potential of Soils.

Abstract

The hypothesis that some Southern Highlanders of Papua New Guinea do not inspect the soil on potential garden sites before clearing for cultivation is examined. How Wola people assess the cultivation status of their soils is explored. It was found that properties central to their appraisal of soil are depth, strength, stoniness, ‘grease’ content and water state. Factors assisting the long term protection of Wola
environment are briefly outlined.