EN
The article presents the prominent Polish ethnologist and missionary, Rev. Prof. Wojciech Bęben. First, the text outlines the scholar’s academic biography and describes four distinct stages of his work. The first stage was related to research in the Manam Motu Island, the second one involved long-term, in-depth fieldwork on the Bam (Biem) Island, the third included research among the peoples of New Guinea, while the last has been related to fieldwork in the Torres Strait Islands and has involved travels to Australia, New Zealand and Polynesia. In the second part, the text presents the scientific achievements of Wojciech Bęben, his publications, teaching legacy and his contribution to the organization of scientific activities.