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The village of Palembei, blessed with great natural beauty, is also graced with two haus tambarans. Unquestionably the strong cultural life that persists so strongly in this village has much to do with their presence as they preside over the village with the ghost of the previous spirit house close by. The crumbling house posts of the previous building remain until they become one with the earth again further reinforcing the continuing cycle.
Depending on the season, a visit to Palembei is a variable experience. I have been in the village in the hot dry season when, after a lengthy walk we arrived very eager to partake of the welcoming ice cold milk from the coconuts offered so hospitably by our friends. Cut from the palm as we arrived, it is a life saving treat after the sun warmed water carried with us. Then in complete contrast, in 1992 the river completely broke it's banks and we were borne right into the interior of the spirit house still in our canoe. That time as we approached Palembei our canoe wove its way through areas that were normally dry and forested and creatures such as the large green frog that one never saw in the middle of the river ended up in the lap of my colleague Hilda Tutton. Our most recent time in Palembei was in April of 1999 when this collection was made, a normal rainy season when the approach was easy, the haus tambaran accessible and from within the sound of garamut drums heralding our arrival.
Elaine Monds
~ Director
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