Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1890-08-23
souTH SEA CUSTOMS


Drinking hava with the Natives.
Even at this late period in the Nine
teenth century, when the people are
supposed ~ know something Of almost
every habilablc spot upon the globe.
they continually meet with something
new in the habits and customs of races
living in some remote part of the
world Members Of the crew Of the
ship John Bryce, which was wrecked
in the South Pacific. give graphic
account of the drinking of "kava" by
the natives Of the island upon which
they landed after being in an open
boat seven days Ii was the island OF
Manus, located about Is degrees south
latitude md l16 degrees west longi-
tude. There is only one white resi-
dent there an Fnglishman.
After the arrival Of the shipwrecked
party King Malatua, who reigns over
the little island, gave them banquet,
which Is thus described by John
Wilke, one Of the crew:
His majesty issued I'm order to his
subjects 10 bring in the material for
the dinner. which they did 1t was
served in large bamboo house Mt 2
O'clock in the afternoon, banana leaves
being spread on the floor for table
cover. The king sat at the head with
his chiefs ON his right Capt Murphy
was to occupy the seat 10 his left, but,
as lac was ill the kings daughter took
the seat A crowd OF natives were
ranged around the walls Of the house,
while women and girls were singing
and dancing on the outside for the
amusement Of the guests. The bill OF
fare consisted Of raw fish, fish blood
sauce, cocoanuts. cocoanut milk, fowls,
roasted pig and sweet potatoes.
After the dinner two young girls
were sent out 10 dig up some kava
roots, and when they returned will
the required quantity they wer,
ushcrcd into the banqueting hall
They washed the roots and then sa
down III front Of a large basin partl,
filled with water Each maiden wa
provided with sort OF ladle, which
was fastened under her chin by mean
of thongs passed over the head. 4
root was then taken by each youn,
lady and the process Of masticatioi
commenced
AS they chewcd the saliva ran ou
of each corner Of their mouth and int.
.he ladle prepared tor receive it unde
their chin As soon as il became ful
Il WAS taken Off and cmptied into tn
basin. When thereof was sufficient,
chcwed IL also was spit into the basin
When all the roots had been treated il
this manner the girls proceeded 10 ru
the stuff they bad chowed betwcel
their hands and wrung and squccze
the juice out Of ii, throwing the refus
away.
The liquid in tho basin was the
stirred up, cocoanuts shell cups wcr
produced, and tile decoction wa
handed to each Of the guests by TIA
2 ladies who had done the chewing
/ We were warned by the Englishma
I in an undcrtonc that 10 refuse woul
: give oliense, so each gallant tar pa
' took thereof wiiheXprcssions and fee
= lngs akin 10 that Of the small boy VIII
Z Was forced 10 swallow dose of salt
Ii tasted and looked just like soapsud
Q and another dose III my case woul
E certainly have acted as an cmetic. TIL
: natives are very fond of it and drink
) readily II has most peculiar ellie,
: upon the human system
{ You Will see a ring of natives drinl
I ing lsava. and apparently nothing I'll
] matter with them, each man talllin
I and acting ia perfectly ration:
u manner, but let one Of them atteml
| to rise end you will notice the diife
, ence. He is drunk from his wal
n to his feet, while his upper story III
Il not been affected al all.
: When We had finished our meal Il
native men and women sat down, I'll
is festival being continued until
o'clock. After eight days on the is
/. and we were taken TO Apia, Somo
0 and there we shipped for home.-Sa
e Francisco Chronicle.