The first European contact with Trobriand Islanders was in 1793 by the French vessel Esperance. Bruni d'Entrecasteaux, a navigator from France, named the islands after his first lieutenant: Denis de Trobriand. The waters surrounding their islands were soon filled with ships from all over Europe. American whaling ships made frequent stops there, as did German ships, who were in search of yams. Previous page   |   Next page   |   Introduction Fishnet hook Trobriand Islands Wood H: 12" Click photo for detail of carving
			© 1997 Lewis/Wara Gallery.