New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-08-16
THE TAGoLANDA CALAMITY.

DESCRIPTION OF THE IsLAND-CUsToMs OF THE
INuABITANTS-THE VOLCANO RUwANG.
The Island of Tagolanda, which has just
experienced convulsion Of nature is situated In lat
% N, and Ion 1852 49, l.. from Greenwich 1t sone
of the range Of islands of volcanic formation north Of
the large Island of Celebes and nearly forms connecting
link Mindanao. 1t is 90 miles N n. E. OF Ceiebes
between the Islands Of Bejaren and Sso 10 miles north
Of the former and miles south Of latter 1t 1s
miles in circumference and the mountain or crater,
called Ruwang which has just emitted fire and lava AFTER
repose OF many years. rises In the center OF the Island
TO the hight OF 1850 feet This crater Is over
quarter Of a milo in diameter. How long time mas
passed since this island was formed, or since the
crater was in operation, Is involved in obscurity.
Mount Klobas, on the northern part Of the Island of
Celebes ceased its eruptons in 1912. The volcano on
sao emitted smoke at intervals to 1894 since which
year 1t has remainednpparently IN repose ,o,oro
the late iSCc Calamity The land slopes gradually
from the sss and hs
the sides Of the mountain grows the sofoaR .a ana
small sna gaaa:. WIZ in issS P 9ngo
lent people rather under the average size OF men Their
complexion is dark brown and they have small features
a asS o.; They chew the betel nut, to blacken
their eeth as they consider oac SrtcI Iees VI
expectation with them, is used only for smoking The
Inhabitants naked up to six years OF age a1ef when
females wear their shoulders to their knees sort
Of blouse OF gown made of cloth manufactured from
the banana stalk The females mature at an early age
many OF the being twelve years or age Inc
form of government the island is sort ~ ohgarchy
four men called Raahs govern the hiand, owning tne
land. and forcing the people. with the exception OF
their retinue, to do their bidding. They own proas,
vessels of a rude kind formed or cocoanut logs
and bamboo strapped together with bark thongs ana
made, watertght with paste composed of clay with
these proas they trade from island 10 Island kema on
Celebes main trading post and II Is there that
they go with their commodities 10 obtain goods from the
nj world The DutCh claim to hold jurisdiction
over these islands, and levy upon them tax, which
must paid in coin or products.
The people OF TagOanda live in houses from 10 TO so
resting posts elevated from four 10 10
feet above the ground. These houses are made with
bamboo floors, which allows free circulation
OF air which in that hot tropical climate.
The roofs are peaked and matched with banana and
other leaves Blankets made from the native cloth
used for and partitions in the dwellings. The
only animals upon this island hogs and goats the
former are reared for trade than consumption, as
fish the fayote food The goats are kept for their
milk The Raiahs and nearly all connected with their
households sleep turing the heat of the day. and at night
take exercise in fishing IN their with torches along
sons saOf - nature. among these islands should
not j create surprise ut any time. This IS
the second Incident OF the kind which has lately
occurred there and may beioowed by many more, as
the entire range of ISLANDS from Flores ito Formosa lis
dotted with volcanic peaks some OF which are
continually making a noise in the world. Inc thunder
storms lightning. which of constant occurrence
around those mountain tops among the ,Srande5t
aud most terrific OF natural phenomena.