The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-10
SAUNTERING IN SAMOA.
A NAVAL OFFICER RECALLS SOME
DAYS ASHORE.
Sweet Girls and Big Men-A Distillery
Consisting Entirely OF Pretty Wo-
men-The Habits and Occupations OF
the People.
From the New York Herald.

people Ol the iSldll'lo NhlIh now '"N''N"'J
become SO prominent on diplomatic maps.
An officer of our navy, who was in Samoa
several years ago gives the Herald the fol-
lowing interesting recollections'
The inhabitants of Samoa have many
traits distinguishing them from the neigh
boring groups of slands-that is, the
islands 20 degrees north ard south OF the
Equator. In appearance the men, as n
general rule, are splendid specimens OF
manly vgor, their hight rather above that
OF the average in America. They carry
themselves erectly, their heads well thrown
back and walk proudly, as il disdaining the
ground they tread on. Especially is this
noticeable among the chiefs and leading
men. Their skin is rich copper color,
somewhat lighter than that OF our own
muatto. the hair is black and coarse, worn
quite short
The women reach the nge Of puberty
while quite young in the tropical climate
OF tho islands and rapidly grow old and
stout Some OF the young girls with their
large, languishing, dreamy black eyes be.
costumes, are extremely pretty and have
all the coquettish airs and graces Of their
fair Eastern sisters. Naturally timid, they
dread the approach of a stranger, but once
convinced that the stranger is "flen,"
confidence il soon restored, and they will
chatter away in their soft, sweet language,
offering the hospitality OF their house in
the prdttiest way imaginable, seemingly
uuhappy II their offerings of fruit or
"kava" be declined. This hospitality,
however, so generously rendered, IL ex-
pcctod 10 be returned, either by small
present Of needles, thread or bright col
ored handkerchief, or even by money, for
they well know its value and the gaudy
calicoes and bright trinkots they can get
for II in the shops OF Apia.
SAMOA FASHIONS.
The costume of the women il somewhat
scnnty, owing " the warmth OF the eli
mate. but for comfort aud ease OF move
ment could hardly be surpassed. They |
only wsar two garments, the "tepota,
which might be called the waist Of the |
gown, and tho 'lar-lam," answering to
he skirt. The tepota IL simply long
,iccc ol cloth or other material the width
u the shoulders OF the wcarcr, with hole
at in the middle for the head. II cx-
ends nearly TO the knees in front and he
lind, and OF course leaves the arms aud
idcs expcrcA. THE tepoia Is the special
pride Of the wcarcr, and Ia made OF many
pieces OF the most gaudily colored calico,
,loth or silk. The lara.lara consists simply
If square Of cloth or fine mat wound
round the body and fastened at the waist
~ tueking one end inside the first fold-a
0nsiant source Of annoyance, ~ this end
! constantly slipping out, requiring ire.
uent rcldjustmcnt II the weather be
'arm the "tepOta" is slipped of and car.
led over the arm. Bonnets, shoes and
ockings are almost unknown, and in
ecd in this delightfully."- warm climate
icy are unnecessary. On SUNDAYS, how.
yer, the matrons aud elderly women wear =,
loose, flowing gown unconlined at the
'aist, aud occasionally the most gorgeous
ind oi bOnncts.
The men usually wear but one garment
n addition to The ordinary breech.clolh -
large piece Of cloth or "tapa" fastened
round the waist, or enveloping the whole
ody IN cold weather or on occasions ol
all dress.
so LABOR DISTURBANCES.
The people are naturally indolent, posi-.
by because OF the ease with which they
obtain their food, the only products they
cultivate iJr this purpose being the kaya
not, the yam and taro, none OF which re-
quirc great attention, There Is not much
variety Ia the occupation Of the men, their
duty simply consisting In gathering the
cNat taggly Of cocoanuis and bananas,
the bulbs ior lie Ase-Iss,.c,h.e' OF digging up |
ing fuel aud fishing Tho women. IL al.
dillon 10 their household duties make
"tapa' and mats OF various sorts for
clothing aud weddings Tapa Is made |
nom the bark Of one tree the papo- .,nl. |
berry. After going through many rude |
processes OF soaking. pounding pulycriz. |
ing and staining Il finally energies a. a
sort Of thick paper, very tenacious and /
strong, covered with the most groicsquc
designs. Some oi the finest mats are made |
Of the fiber OF the cocoanut OF pandanus
leaves, and take many months In their
manufacture They are vs. soft as silk aud |
almost ~ pliablc. 10 dclicatcly aud beau
tiiully are they woven that one four feet
square will hardly make "a double hand.
luL These mats are highly prizcl, aud
lrc handed down No hcirlo0mA In fact.
they were formerly used In the place oi
money, and mans wealth was estimated
BY the number Of iis Zine mhis rather than
~ his pigs aud cocoanut trees.
cLEASLY And CnEEHruL.
The people arc very clcanly IN their
habits, bathing constantly in the fresh |
water streams flowing from the mountains
They seem never happier than when In /
the waiCr, and, like all Islanders, arr won.
deriul swimmers. They seem 10 be- Of a
pcaccable, happy disposition, inclined To
take the world easy, without ambition.
apparently satisfied With their lot Ia life.
They still retain some IT their ancient cus
toms and rites, more particularly In the
manner OF conducting funerals. marriage.
dances and icasts Owing. however to
the influence OF the missionaries aud tho
advance Of civilization th,sc customs are
gradually dying out.
SAMOAN FrAfr.
During our stay grand frasi was Given /
In our honor. 90 which all the PRINCIPAL /
chiefs aud i0rcign residents were present
Oi course everything was cooked anil |
served IN native style, and IL was sufpfia
my 10 zee the number Of different dIshrs
They prepared from their mcagur resources
lheif method Of cooking chickens. fish
anu pigs b. excellent AMI simplr m.
chicken, after cleansing, i wfarprJ I,
large aromatic leaves nud Is then baked
~ placing between large stones which |
nave been heated as hot rs possible. Thn |
leaves prevent the escape OF the flavor
and ~ The same time the chicken absufb, |
their aromatic od1r.
After tho feHai glfu. Ga, ,...,....tf .. |