Marsupial Furs

Phalangers or cuscuses of the species Phalanger maculatus and probably P. orientalis come in a variety of forms—dark, white with dark or ginger blotches, and all-white (see app. 3 for Maring taxa). Pelts of these forms, exclusively obtained from lower altitudes, are highly valued. Tail skins of the tree kangaroo, riawe , are also valued, and it is the only species in high demand which is present in Tsuwenkai. It is, however, rare. Several locally occurring species of phalanger and ringtail possum^[5] also yield loose fur (used to decorate men's dancing aprons, women's best aprons, and good string bags), fur strips for headbands and armbands, and skins prepared as drumheads. Trade in such locally available products is relatively unimportant in terms of both volume and exchange value but has increased since the mid-1950s under the stimulus of a steady demand for fur from newly contacted and distant people Up- and Cross-Jimi. One Tsuwenkai man who is particularly skilled in hunting marsupials has made several special journeys to Banz in the Wahgi Valley to sell fur bundles in the town's market.

Few locally obtainable furs have been imported. Exotic furs, by contrast, predominantly come from the lower Jimi, where phalangers seem to be fairly common, and from Up- and Down-Simbai. Most Up-Simbai furs probably originated in the lower-Jimi, Kaironk, Kinenj, and Asai Valleys; the lower Simbai is also a source area.

The great majority of exports are to the upper Jimi, with Cross-Jimi

next in importance. There are no evident changes in trade patterns in furs over time. The flow of furs in trade is thus similar to that of plumes. The incidence of 'trade in furs and skins, however, seems to have diminished from the late 1970s.