Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1886-08-13
SOUTH PACIFIC sAvAoes.
The Wars, Dress, Rites and Social Habits
of the south Sea Islanders.


of the south Sea Islanders.
The inhabitants of the South Pacific
coast islands are in many respects
strange human beings, and not the least
singular fact in connection with them
is their manner and custom of life,
both in the domestic circle and when
battling with other tribes. Some six
thousand miles from this city is the
Marshall group of islands, the inhabit-
ants of which are conspicuous for their
warlike propensities. great size and
gigantic strength, together with other
traits of strongly original character,
and regarding which little or nothing
is known in the civilized world. A few
DAYS ago the three-masted schooner
John Hancock returned from trading
cruise to the GLIDE and Marshall
groups, and the master of the vessel,
Captain William Chapman, secured 3
valuable collection of curiosities in the
shape of war-clubs, spears. boat-pad-
dies, shells. etc. With Captain Chip
man. as passenger, was a young man,
5. +. Gray, of this city, who, during
his visit to the islands, gained much
interesting information concerning the
islands and their inhabitants.
The natives are large and powerful.
They are not unlike the New Zealand
ers, being of dark, copper-colored
complexion. In addition to natural
inclination for warfare they are very
treacherous and in some portions of
the group are cannibals. Their main
occupation is like that of the Indian.
loating and picking cocoanuts, which
are prepared and shipped to this coun-
try with considerable profit. When
not engaged in harvesting the cocoa
nut crop or loating about on the ocean
in a dug-out canoe, the Marshall
Islander puts in his time carving gro
tesque figures on canoe paddles and in
whiting out Misunderstanding war
clubs, spears, arrows and other similar
weapons. In carving they display
great ingenuity and while the figures
as shown on the paddles are not exact
" pretty, they are very intricate and
are not unlike similar work done in
China.
The figures on the paddle represent
idols and, according to the Islander s
belief, if upon his boat paddle there is
carved the figure of an idol he can
safely navigate anywhere. In this con-
nection it may be we'll to state that
these Islanders are the boldest and
most skillful canoe navigators in the
Pacific. They make voyages extend
ing over many months, trusting ia
Providence. or rather rain, to supply
them with fresh water. They navigate
| by means of small chart composed of
small sticks tied together and repre-
senting the position of the various
islands as regards the point of depart
ure.
In warfare their weapons consist OF
clubs, spears and arrows, all of whic b
they use with the greatest skill and &C
curacy. The clubs are made of IRON
wood and are very heavy. They are
of various shapes, the most murderous
being the gnarled root of the ironwood
tree. The other clubs are of lighter
character. The arrows are made OF
light bamboo, the points being of iron
wood. The spears are also made out
of the same kind of timber and ruI
down to fine point, which is tipped
with poisonous preparation. The
feather end is fantastic and gaudy,
regular bouquet of feathers pluckeC
from the rarest birds being used anC
blended together with strict regarC
for colors.
The Islanders. particularly in tn
vicinity of New Ireland, have no par
ticular love for the whites, and it is no
an infrequent occurrence to find SOM
,ttler living in front of his door dead
II is the work of some native, who
having become offended at the whit
man. has lain in wait and killed him.
The natives do not tolerate polyg
amy, and after marriage the womel
are famous for their fidelity. A sort o
slave traffic exists throughout tn
islands. though, and single womel
ran be purchased for servants for
mere trifle. Clothing is a thing un
known in most of the islands. In ant
about New Britain and Ireland, how
ever, the breech-cloth is used.-pSa
: Francisco Examiner.