The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-05-23
SAMOAN BEAUTIES.
The Rule of the village Queen, Their At
tire, and Their Graceful Dances.

The Rule of the village Queen, Their At
tire, and Their Graceful Dances.
The women still love to dress a la
mother Eve, in nothing but the natural
products of the native bush. Around
their throats they lind necklaces
formed of dry scarlet berry or shells
se,yed upon Il strip of cloth. Some
times IL fringe made from lhc rib bones
of Il fish is attached to Il necklace, and
often spiral boar's tush forms
handsome though barbaiic ornament.
Like their civilized sisters the Samoan
bellies will endure any amount OF pain
and discomfort in order TO he i'll the
fashion, but. unlike them. they enjoy
leap year privileges all the time and
exercise the right of choice, for time
or for eternity, with perfect freedom
from Il suspicion of unmaidcnliness.
The Samoan womeH, as a rule, are
good looking, but every village boasts
its ''beauty." ''Tampo" is the Samoan
name given to the village queen. Gen
orally She is the ruling chiefs own
daughter, or one adopted by him. She
is at all times a girl Of high rank in the
place itself. or in that of her parentagc.
From the first day of her installment
to the day of her departure, marriage,
eIopempnt, or dethronement for bad
behavior (Which in quite recent times
was effected with cIub), she is virtu-
ally the queen of the place. 1t is she
who receives strangers on arrival in
her town. makes kava for them, and
! personally sees to their comfort and
entertainment. Never from one years
end to the other, is she permitted to be
out of sight of her attendants. When
abroad she is invariably accompanied
bv as many of her youthful companions
rs are available for the service. They
follow her in single file wherever she
gees. She heads all professions. and
visits and takes the leading part i'll all
sswas,n or native daHces.
! Her attire on gala days is of the gay
est description that her town can af-
ford. and everything is ungrudgingly
sacrificed that can add to the glOriIica-
ton of her personal appearance. 1t is
she, on these occasions, who has main
ly to uphold the prestige of the town.
1t is only when dressing for any cere
monv that she appears TO have no will
of her own. On such occasions, 2
long time before the commencement
of the ceremonial, the old women take
entire possession of her. On them de
wolves the exercise of the mysteries O
the Samoan boudOir. Everything j!
done for the proud damsel, who stand.
patiently suffering any amount o
coercion, one tithe of which she WoulC
not permit for second were it no
part of her duty as the beauty of he
town. She is first taken in hand by
two or three of her attendants, wht
brisklv shampoo her all over will
sWeet-scented oil until her warm col
, ored skin shines like satin. Anothe
will energetically brush her jet-blacl
+ locks, and afterward plait or other
wise arrange them in the manner tha
the combined wisdom of the old pee
. | pie, assisted by the suggestions O
twenty or thirty of her youthful com
panions. may dictate. She will the
p be ready to entertain ''the stranger
q and prepare for him the kava.
a Above all things the native wOme
/ excel in the art of dancing and postul
: inc. The most popular dance anon
: them is the ''Siva," which is performe
by four or five maidens to the accom-
: panimcut of a tuneless song and drum
9 ming on the tom-tOm. 1t consists {
y posturng and movements of the bod
: and hands, which are made in uniso
: and. in time with the music. Some {
: the figures are executed while stanC
h ing erect upon the feet, but in most (
p them the dancers sit crOss-legged upC
# strips of mating spread upon ii
n ground. The postures are many III
v varied. Sometimes the right han
9. rests upon the neighbor's left shoulde
,, and left hand upon the dancers kne
M and sometimes this motion is reverse
~ O,lc position is with the right han
"a spread upon the ground in front, al
\. the fingers of the left hand touchil
"a the biccps OF ihe dancers right arr
ID Another is more thoughtful attitud
IL The right hand supports the left elbo'
i, while the left cheek rests upon the l
er dex finger Of the left hand. OF ;
rE the graceful Samoan dancers none G.
compare with the daughter OF Patu
one of Mataafa's most prominent chit
tains. Her movements arc SO eNqu
, itcly graceful and full of such dreal
70 like motion that Europeans and natIN
H. alike have combined i'll naming Il
u The Dream. "-SdcrG1nGHtO Report.