Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1889-06-05
A SEDUCTIVE DRlNle:--
Enc NattOna1 Beverage Of SHan0a and
How 1t Is COucoctetl.

| ScDOCtIVe OHtN w. s---
Enc N1ttOnA beverage of SHaN0A and
| How 1T Is C0ucocteI.
Hospitality is a part of the Sam oau
religion, politeness one of their chief
characteristics, and a dishonest act the
exception. Food and shelter are vouch-
! safed to every one entering their homes
or villages, and the stranger has but
to consult his own wishes when he is
ready to depart. Attached to every
vlltage is u Faietale, or guest-house,
ses spart for the recep ton, lodging and
ent% vtalnment Or visitors. Generally
this ~ situated in the middle of the
Village, and is also used us d council
| house oA occasions when the chief and
The people assemble to discuss subjects
OF Importance. Foreigners and Wis.,
ltors from oth"r villages are at once
conducted to tho house, set apart for
their occupation, a journey of consider
bic distance often Being made es-
peclally to meet them. when they are
received by the chief vf the town and
the maid whose dsty it i. tG look after
the welfare of the guests. During the
preliminary conversation, in which the
compliments OF the day sre exchanged
with q lavish expenditure >G personal
battery, the kava-bowl is rroduced,
and while the free Interchange Of COM
pIlments continues. the bewitcsoing
nut-brown maid, with the assistance
Of her dusky attendants. begins too
masticate the seductive root In the
meantime the villagers, being advised
OF the arrival of the visitors, have as
sembled in another part of the village,
collected articles of food, and begun to
sing and march in procession towards
the fate-ta!e. Boys and girls, young
and old. making a festive
display. their persons anointed
with cocoanut Oil and arrayed
in scanty toilets of leaves and flowers,
join in demonstration of songs of
praise and welcome. The music OF
their well-attuned voices, first heard
family in the distance and increasing
in sweetness and volume as they APP
preach nearer and nearer, produces
I charming effect, the impression of
which is long retained by strangers.
IN the meantime the guests, who have
remained seated and silent if uncon-
sclocs Of what is going on, preserve a
wonderful soleinnity Of countenance as
each donor IN turn modestly 'ces
his Offering al the feet Of the most
honorSd One, with solicitations inimit-
able IN gracefulness. On such Occa-
slous food, consisting OF fruits, fish,
Ind sucking-pigs, is sometimes given
IN sufficient quantities TO sustai in a
visiting party for days and weeks.
No occasion of ceremony CT impor-
:ance takes place without the use of
1ava, root Of the pepper family, and
all exchanges of sociability are con-
1uctea under its influence. The con-
coction Of the seductive beverage made
rom this root is attended with so many
,ere1nOnlous observations and accla-
nations Of approval that an account
If the customs of these people would be
Incomplete without reference to the
manner in which the drink is prepared.
A wooden bowl, d cocoanut cup, and
strainer are the implements used in
making the brew. That parsonage OF
he chief social Importance in Samoa,
the maid of the vi!lage,'' is invariably
called upon to brew the beverage,
which ceremony, with her attendants,
she conducts with becoming dignity.
After carefully washing out her
mouth in the presence of all
assembled, she seats herself up-
IN the matted floor with the
BOWL IN front Of her, and with resigned
name: and preoccupied countenance
begins to masticate tue bits OF root
handed her by the attendants Piece
after piece is chewel until the mouth
full and the. cheeks bullying, when
he mass is elected into the palm Of
Ter hand and. with u graceful swing,
deposited in the bowl. This operation
repeated until the proper quantity
If the root is secured. Then her hands
ire washed scrupulou5ly clean. and an
.ttendant having poured the required
AMOUNT Of water into the bowl, the
maid proceeds with the compromising.
With d graceful rolling and twisting
movement OF the hands sac mixes all
he undissolved portions of the root in
he ''fou, Or strainer, which, after
vringing, is shaken out, and the strain
ng repeated until the brew is finished.