The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-09-08
THE TAGOLANDA CALAMITY.
Description Of the Island-CustOms Of the
Inhabitnnts-The Volcano Ruwnng.

Inhabitants-The Volcano Ruwnng
The island of Tagolanda, which has
just experienced CONFUSION Of nature,
is situated in lat. deg. 30\ N, and
long. l25 deg. 33> f. from Greenwich. 1t
is one of the range of islands of volcanic
formation north of the large Island of
Celebes, and nearly forms connection
link with Mindanao. 1t is 80 miles n.
n. Il. of Celebes, between the islands Of
Bejaren and Siao, Is miles north of the
former, and miles south of the latter.
1t is Is 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 height of
over $500 feet. This crater is over
quarter of mile in diameter. How
long time has 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 erup-
tions in 1912. The volcano on Siao emit
ted smoke at intervals up to 1864, since
which year it has remained apparently
in repose.
The following is a description of the
Island before the late calamity The
land slopes gradually upward from the
sea, and the shores are covered with
mangrove and cocoanut trees; short
distance up the sides of the mountain
grows the coco-palm, and the hills also
produce the banana, plantain, taro,
sago, and bread fruit. Indian corn and
rice are cultivated III small quantities.
The inhabitants, who, in 1860, num-
bered about CO., are Malays, surly,
insolent, and indolent people, rather
under the average size of men; their
complexion is dark brown, and they
have small features and straight hair.
They are fond of finery and fish. They
chew the betel nut, to blacken their
teeth, as they consider black teeth
mark of beauty. Tobacco, which is an
article of expectation with them, is used
only for smoking. The inhabitants 90
naked up to six years Of age, after
which the males put on "tappa"
around their loins, and the females
wear, from their shoulders to their
knees, a sort Of blouse or gown made Of
cloth manufactured from the banana
stalk. The females mature at an early
age. The form of government in the
island is a sort of oligarchy four men
called Rajahs govern the island, owning
the land and forcing the people, with
the exception of their retinue, to do
their bidding. They own proas, vessels
of rude kind formed Of cocoanut logs
and bamboo, strapped together with
bark thongs, and made water tight
with paste composed of clay. With
these proas they trade from island to
island. Kema on Celebes, is the main
trading post, and it is there that they 60
with their commodities to obtain goods
from the civilized world. The Dutch
claim to hold jurisdiction over these
islands, and levey upon them tax,
which must be paid in coin or products.
The people of Tagolanda live in houses
from 10 to SO feet square, resting
upon posts elevated from four to ten
feet above the ground. These houses
are made with bamboo sides and floors,
which allows free circulation of air,
which is necessary in that hot, tropical
climate. The roofs are peaked, and
matched with banana and other leaves.
Blankets made from the native cloth
are used for screens and partitions
in the dwellings. The only animals
upon this island are hogs and goats
the former are reared more for trade
than consumption, as fish is the favorite
food. The goats are kept for their milk.
The Rajahs and nearly all connected
with their households sleep during the
heat of the day, and at night take exer-
else in fishing in their canoes, with
torches, along the shores. A series Of
volcanic eruptions and commissions of
nature among these islands should not
create surprise at any time. This is the
second incident of the kind which has
lately occurred there, and may be fol-
lowed by many more, as the entire
range of islands from Flores to Formo-
so, is dotted with numerous volcanic
peaks, some of which are continually
making a noise in the world The
thunderstorms and lightning, which are
of constant occurrence around those
mountain tops, are among the grandest
and most terrific of natural phenomena.