The Polynesian., 1840-07-18

Whagli, Nanlken, &c, being titles of
rank, and not the names of the indivdu-
als-their common names never being
mentioned so soon as they succeed to the
office of craftsmanship. SO sacred are
their common names held, or so deeply
are they buried in oblivion, that no native
will tell what has been the former name
of his chief. The inferior chiefs succeed
each other in their respective rank but
can never become Nanikcn, &c. jill ca
noes passing the residence Of chief, must
lo,cer their sail, and no one can pass chief
in his canoe acthout doing The same, or stop
padding till permitted to pass on; they
are jealous of honor - and always ready
to resent any indgnity offered.
TO each village large house is attach
ed, in the upper part of which their war
canoes are kept. These are from forty
to fifty feet long, and about two feet deep,
formed from the hollow trunk of a tree.
exhibiting their most fanciful workman
ship, and variously adorned, according to
the taste of the party for whose use it is
constructed. All the various fastenings
of the outrigger, &c, being made with
party colored Irvine, disposed in the most
intricate manner heat and uniform: to
which some devote their whole attention.
In the lower part of this house the food
for all the inhabitants of the village is
cooked in commons it is then brought to
the residence of the chief, who having
pronounced blessing of a few words
over it-takes sufficient for the demands
of his own family, and distributes what
remains to the different families of the set
tlement; but should the chief be absent
at the time it is brought, no one, not even
the members of his own family, dare touch
any part thereof till his return. They de-
vote certain seasons to partcular purposes,
such as building canoes, houses, &C..
when the former are finished, they are
brought either to the first or second chief
who gives them to those who are in want
of them, receiving some present in return.
, From their construction, and the immense
+ size of the sail they carry, these canoes
, sail amazingly fast, but require great care
: in the management, being easily upset !;
the natives, however, are very expert in
managing them, and keep the outrigger
always to windward, shifting the sail from
end to end when they have occasion to
. beat to windward. Notwithstanding their
vessels cost them so much labor and time
in constructing them, handsome canoe
and sail may be purchased for a few heads
> of tobacco. When engaged in building
! their houses, the chiefs often assist in per-
], son. These are neat and comfortable
!, the walls being constructed entirely of
small bamboo, and are raised two or three
% feet from the ground on a solid platform
of stone, built without cement; the inte-
:. rior might answer the description of q
. bird cage; the various beams and upriohts
. being fastened, Qke the canoes,) with
- party colored Irvine made from the bark
! of the cocoa nut. The floor, composed
of bamboo, is as soft as carpet though
. they do not cook any thing in their houses
a square place is left in the centre of the
floor, where they generally have fire
= round which may often be seen the ole
and infrm, and torpid and helpless beings
). without fingers and toes. They sleep OF