Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-02-09
TIE SAMOANS.
A CLASS or KID AND INTEREST.
ING PEOPLE.
Description of the Nations that
Germany is Trying to Absorb
Manner of Living.

fifty fathoms OF cable with its anchor i'm
bedded in the soft bottom of the harbor of
Apia, the principal port of the group.
Diplomatic questions were then, as is the
case now with other vessels of the navy.
the cause of the Richmond's presence in
that vicinity. Several little state matters
required adjustment, and the American
Consul wanted a wanted to get
back TO the civilized world again-and last,
but not least; the coal bunkers of the ship
needed 10 be replenished. All of these
things required time and afforded an ex-
cellent opportunity to those who desired
to keep their "westher eye open" and
profit thereby.
OF the Samoan group the Sayii, Upolu,
lutuila and Mauna islands are of the
greater importance, and are distanced
some 5000 miles from Sydney and 5000
from San Francisco. They are scattered
over space of about 400 miles, and are
inhabited by people adhering to the same
customes, believing in the same religion
and governed by the same laws. 1t must
be borne in mind, however, that the above
statements apply to the people when they
were Samoanese, pure and simple, and not
after they became acquainted with the
civilizing influences which have of late
been thrown around them. and hence, in a
great measure, obliterated their identity
GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES.
Geographically the islands are volcanic
in nature, usually high and mountainous.
There are several volcanoes, though long
since extinct, which give to its scenery a
picturesqueness like unto the Islands of
Japan with its grand Fusi Amya towering
14,000feet above the level the sea Though
its harbors are open, they are well protected
by a coral reef which extends nearly the en-
tirecircumferenceo of the group. The rocky
foundation is generally covered by rich
earth, III which the bread fruit, banana.
cocoanut, nutmeg, sugar cane, pineapple
and other tropical products thrive to re-
markable degree. These articles are the
stock-ln-trade OF the 10000 inhabitants,
who i'll themselves are worthy of much
more study than is generally accorded
them by the outside world. They
are models iii physique Tall, well
proportional. clean of limb, graceful in
polse or movement, and, except the nose,
of well-defined features, they stand physc-
ally without peer In the great human
family. Their nomadic life gives to their
character dignity often wanting in more
advanced races Kind, generous, thor
oughly hospitable, they know but little of
what is termed poverty Their social sys-
TEN is semi-communistic; free to borrow,
ready to lend If a house is to be con-
structed members of the family or clan con-
tribute their share gladly; if one is with
out a home he Is welcome guest at
anotheF's table as long as he wishes to re-
main. This freedom and want of re-
sponslbility has but little to do with their
unprogresSlyenesS. Their honesty and
sense of duty prevents the abuse of such
social system. Theirs is largely patri-
archal form of government, the sovereign
ship resting in chiefs or clans and The
common consent of big chief These
titles are not hereditary, but often are be-
slowed in acknowledgment of yalor or to
win over a powerful leader of another
family. The flowers of manhood are kept
as body guard and during peace are waited
upon an ionized by therest of the family.
Mating, war implements, canoes and ma
tive cloth are manufactured by artisans.
Sand are the circulating medium of the Sa-
moaneSe. The women occupy higher
position in the family circle than is gem
crafty customary with ISLANDERS
TUE PORT OF APIA.
Is situated on the northern cost of Upolu,
and since the introduction Of steamship
lines IN the South Pacific is recognized as
the commercial center OF the group. It
boasts of population OF about 1900, mis-
slonary ohapeIs, schools and printing
house. There are several consular dwell.
lDgs aud tourist find rather comfortable
quarters OF a place which the inhabitants
call hotel. While the foreigners 1--we in
fandnr,,t.-
natives, except 4 few of the more opuent.
still retain the architectural styles estab-
llshed by the aboriginal man. These are
circular III form, of from thirty to forty
feet n diameter and are principally roof.
Posts about four feet high and situated
some four or I'VE feet apart form the found
atioa The roof is matched, usually of
sugar-caue leaves, and rises, cone shaped.
twenty feet above the ground. 1t is 50
constructed in four parts that il may be
easily taken down and shipped to any
destination without damage to it, The
appertures between the foundation posts
serve as doors and windows during
the day and as walls and protec-
ton at night by dropping curtains of
mating. The house has but one room.
which serves we'll the purpose of drawing
room, sitLing-room, bedroom and kitchen
For sleeping purposes for the several mem
bers of the family, tents of mating are put
up and separate apartments are condi-
ton and not i theory. The bed of
Samoauesc Is gotten up with due regard
to expense, but at total disregard OF COM
fort 1t consists of three OF four layers of
mating laid on the hard, smooth ground,
on which none but native could hope for
rest. The pillow is piece of thick banl-
boo about five feet long and supported by
legs three inches high. On this instru-
ment Of torture the victim places his neck
and divides his attention between attempt
ing to sleep and thinking how long it will
be before the knife descends and puts an
end to the almost insupportable agony
This is from the standpoint of the man
Injured 10 the comforts of the four-poster.
1t requires but little space to describe
the clothing of this people Apart from
an habitual smile little else is worn unless
an apron Of 'Ti' leaves, suspended from
the loin, be considered. The garb of the
women differs from the mems in that it is
a little longer. In rainy weather large
banana leaf passes well for an umbrella.
This garb worn by both sexes was often
made of plated work which took months
and sometimes years TO construct, and when
once washed was of no service This
necessitated careful aud long usage and
gave rise TO an acquaintance with unclean-
illness, which otherwise is not character
istic of the people. In duties about the
house they are particularly neat, also in
personal habits. Ii is only in the instance
named that ungodliness enters at all into a
part of their everyday existence. Though
usually the people go barefooted, sandals
of plated Seaweed are sometimes worn,
particularly when at work along the she'll
lined beach. On state occasions the toilet
is elaborated by rubbing the body with
highly aud not pleasantly scented oil,
often mixed with tameric, to give the skin
yellowish tint The older custom of do
ing up the hair is still adhered TO by those
less advanced. This Is a pompadour ex-
tending straight up from the head from
twelve to eighteen inches and surrounded
by a band at the center, which gives them
the appearance of carrying ON their
head sheaf OF wheat To give the