Papuan Marsalai (Ghost)

Papuan Marsalai

In the Papuan Jungle at the height of the Pacific Campaign of World War Two, the ‘Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels’, became alarmed by a ghost. The ‘Fuzzies’ were Papuan New Guinean natives that were recruited by the Australian army during the Kokoda Campaign of World War Two, to help move goods, and wounded troops through the jungle.

The Papua New Guinean natives were extremely superstitious. They believed that a ‘Marsalai’, an unseen phantom was running past their barracks every morning at top speed.  The ‘Fuzzies’ swore to the Australians that they knew no living man would dare risk running in the New Guinean heat. They also claimed that no man would run in the jungle at night, so therefore only an ‘Itambu’, their equivalent of the Irish Banshee, could be the possible cause.

After an investigation, it was determined that a ghost was not present, but the ‘running itambu’ was, in fact, an American Captain, Bob MacCloskey. Capt. MacCloskey was a red-haired es-salesman from Los Angeles. Every day, he would wake up before sunrise and run 10 miles, followed by six ‘kick-ups’ on a horizontal bar.
 When asked if he was a cross country runner, MacCloskey replied ”Hell no! I gotta base job. I just gotta run to go nuts!”

...And hence the case of the Papuan Marsalai was solved!

Researched and written by Allen Tiller ©2019

Bibliography:

‘Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels’, Australian Army, (4 December 2016), https://www.army.gov.au/our-history/history-in-focus/fuzzy-wuzzy-angels

'Jungle Ghost', Army News, (12 September 1943), p. 3.

A Fatal Superstition: The Man Who Swallowed a Cat’s Eyes

Ah Yin and the Cats Eye

A Fatal Superstition: The Man Who Swallowed a Cat’s Eyes

Throughout history, animals have featured prominently in traditional beliefs, magical practices and superstitions across many cultures. In parts of Asia, certain animal body parts were believed to possess medicinal or supernatural properties, capable of curing ailments, attracting wealth or transferring desirable qualities to those who consumed them.

Tigers, in particular, have long been associated with traditional Chinese medicinal beliefs and folk magic. Some practitioners have attributed healing properties to various tiger body parts, claiming they could treat conditions such as impotence and joint pain, while others believed they could bring prosperity and good fortune.

Many of these beliefs reflect the principle of sympathetic magic — the idea that something resembling a desired quality, or possessing it in nature, can transfer that quality to another. As a powerful apex predator, the tiger symbolised strength, courage and vitality, leading some to believe that consuming its body parts could impart those attributes. Such beliefs have contributed to the demand for tiger products and the threat to wild tiger populations.

A far more unusual example of animal-related superstition was reported in Braidwood, New South Wales, in 1881. A Chinese immigrant named Ah Yin was reportedly suffering from progressively worsening eyesight. Convinced that a cat’s eyes possessed magical healing properties, he believed that eating them would restore his failing vision.

According to the account, a man named Ay Pong purchased a cat and took it to Ah Yin, who drowned the unfortunate animal. He then removed its eyes, coated them in sugar to make them more palatable and swallowed the first one. Believing that each eye would cure its corresponding human counterpart, Ah Yin proceeded to swallow the second eye.

Tragically, as he swallowed it, he began coughing and choking. He was unable to dislodge the obstruction and died.

The subsequent post-mortem examination reportedly revealed that the cat’s eye had become lodged in the cavity above his vocal cords. The eye was said to have been large enough to obstruct his throat, causing him to suffocate.

What Ah Yin believed would restore his sight instead cost him his life. His story serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of relying on superstition for medical treatment, particularly when it involves practices that can cause serious physical harm.

Researched and written by Allen Tiller.

Bibliography

‘Animals endangered by superstitions’, Perth Zoo, https://perthzoo.wa.gov.au/article/animals-endangered-superstitions

'CURIOUS DEATH.', The Australasian Sketcher with Pen and Pencil, (17 December 1881), p. 414

'DID YOU KNOW?', Bunyip, (6 July 1951), p. 3.

'THE MAYOR'S REPORT.', Bunyip, (2 December 1881), p. 2

'CURIOUS DEATH.', The Argus, (26 November 1881), p. 10.