Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-08-20
THE TAGOLANDA CALAM-
ITY.

Destruction OF the Asland-CustOms
OF the Inhnbitauts-The Volcano
RuwanR.
The Island of Tagolsnda, which has
lust experienced a CONFUSION Of nature,
is situated in late deg. 30 min. N, and
long. 12J dg. So min. E. from Greenwich.
1t is one of the range of islands of vol
canlc formation north of the large Island
of Celebes, and neatly forms connecting
link with Mindanso. 1t is tifty-two miles
n. n E. of Celebes, between the Islands
of Bejaren and SiaO, fifteen miles nsrth
of III; fuImer and eight miles south of
the latter. l. is eighteen miles in circum-
ference, and The mountain or crater,
called Ruwsng, which has Just emitted
fire sId Iva after Iepose of many years,
rises in the center Of the island to the
hight of over 500 feet. This crater is
over quarter Of a mile in diameter.
How long a time has passed since this
island was formed, or since the crater
was in operation, is involved IN obscurity.
Mount KIObss, on the northern part of
the Island of Celebes, ceased its eiuptions
in 1912. The volcano on Siso emitted
smoke at intervals up 10 1864, since
which year it has remained apparently in
repose.
Tne following IS a description of the
island before the late calamity: The
land slopes gradually upward from the
sea, and ie shores are covered with man
grove and cocosuut tres; g short distance
up the 81. g o. he mountain grows the
cocoa pslil, and the hills also produce the
banan = p.antsiG, tara, sage, and bread
fruit. Indian cJrn and rice are cultivated
in small quantities. The inhabitants,
who, il 1860, numbered about six hun
bred, sre Malsys, a surly, insQlent, indo-
lent people, rather under the average size
of men. Their complexion is dark brown,
and they have small features and straight
hair. They sre fond of finery and fish.
They clew the betel nu-, to blscken their
teeth, as they )nsider black teeth mark
of besuty. Tobscc1, which is an article
of expectation with them, is used only for
smoking. The inhabitants 60 naked up
to six years of age, after which the
males pat on ''tsppa" around
their loins, and the females wear,
from their shoulders to their
kUees, q SGT Of blouse, OF gown made of
q cloth manufactured from the banana
stalk. The females mature at an early
sge, many OF the mothers not being
y years Of aga. The form of government
IN the island is 3 sort of obligarchy; four
men called Raj Aba govern the island, own
ing The land, and forcing the people, with
the exception of their Ietinue, to do their
bidding. They own prOas, vessels of
rude L nd, formed of cGcoanut logs and
bamboo, strapped together with bark
Ia ngs, and made water-tight with paste
emp und Of clay. With these pross
thy trade from island TO island. Kema,
on Celebes, is the main trading post, and
j. Is there that they go with their com
modit,es - obtain goods from the civil
lied world. The Dutch claim to hold
Jurisdiction over these islands, and levy
upon them a tax, which mast be paid 10
coin or products.
The people of Tsgolsnda live in houses
from tea 10 fifty feet square, resting on
posts elevated from fnurIO ten feet above
the ground. These houses are made with
bamboo sid s and floors, which allows q
free circulation of air, which is necessary
ia that ho', tropical climate. The roofs
are peaked, and thstched with banana
and other leaves. Blankets made from
the rative cloth are used for screens and
partitions in the dwellings. The only
anim-ls upon this island are hogs and
goats; the former are reared more for
trade THAI consumption, as fish is the
IayOrite food The goats are kept for
milk. The Rajahs and neatly all cOa-
nected with their hOuss holds sleep during
the heat of the day, and al night take ex-
ercise in fishing in their canoes, with
torches, along the shores. A series Of
volcanic erupuons aud commissions of ma
ture among these islands should not Gre
ate surprise at any time, This is the Sc
cOnd incident OF the Akind which has
lately occurred there, and may be followed
by many more, as the entire range of
islands frym Flores to For nosa is dotted
with numerous volcanic peaks, some of
which are continually making a noise in
tie world. The thunder storms and light
LiuE, which are of constant occurrence
around those mountain tops, are among
the lrlpdget and most terrific of natural
AIKEN meDG.