BUAI 4.1.2005

BUAI 4.1.2005

There are splatterings of red all over the ground, everywhere you go. Iassumed the New Gunieans were leaking their mud – I dared not wonder WHYthey were bleeding all over town. Fortunately, I came to learn that this was not human oil but in fact Buia – more specifically, the spittle fromchewing Buia. Buia, or beetle nut, grows generously on tal trees in PNG. It is green, the size of a walnut. Inside the green shell is the nut and itis a foul tasting thing, not for eating. However, when mixed with this dakaroot and lime (not the fruit, but the industrial powder correction officersthrow on prisoners when entering the state penitentiary) a chemical reaction occurs which turns the mixture fire truck red. This is chewed then spat freely onto the ground until the sludge is gone. The buzz is akin to huffing glue.* Some New Guineans eat 10-20 Buia a day. Unfortunately, it rots their teeth and makes them all look like they just got socked in the mouth.

* This is a literary device known as a ‘fabrication’ or ‘lie’...