Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1891-02-28
FIJI ISLANDS.
NOBLE SPECIMENS OF MAN
HOOD SEEN THERE
Extraordinary Hairdrcssinc-A Ro-
mantle and Picturesque Land
The People are Fond
OF Music

The Fiji Islands are, as far as nv ex-
perlence goes. one Of the mos. romantic
and pictureque localities upon the face
Of the globe. writes correspondent of
the New York Times Their masses and
outlines are rugged and stern; they are
volcanic in origin, aud show everyw where
abrupt precipices and sharp and unexpect
ed peaks inland, and bold promontories
where the land touches the sea The piles
OF up heaved earth and rocks WHICH form
! the main part of the islands are fringed
! with broad and level beach of coral and
sand, outside Of which lie the shallow
F., and placid waters Of the lagoon enclosed
J by the bristllng reef, against which tn
heavy swell of the Pacific beats uneeas-
fngly with a steady and mufiled roar
The edge OF the shore is thickly set with
cocoanut groves which form natural
) avenues and arcades Of surprising beauty;
scarlet ana green parrots scream and
| chatter and iris hued wild doves coe in
the feathery tops of the palms; cranes
and egrcts, variously garbed in blue,
BLACK and ivory colored plumes, explore
the shadows, and graceful tropic birds
wheel in the sunlight, while the frigate
birds float on motioness wings at enor-
nous heights in the melting sky.
Looking inland the prospect extends
along a series of natural terraces set with
an almost lmpenetrable jungle of flower
ing trees, creepers and vines set with
blooms of every variety of brilliant hue.
Peeping out from the cocoanut groves
are numerous villages, whose houses.
made ofplaited reeds and thatched with
grass, are set in picturesque irregu1arity
along the banks of the streams that flow
from hidden fountains in the hills, and
surrounding these are plantations of
yams,s bananas, taro, bread fruit and
pineapples, which respond profuscly to
the scanty cultivation which jis bestowed
upon them in the rich, red, volcanic soil.
The constant sea breeze tempers the
heat, and by its soft breath gives the
finishing touch to the charm which ex-
istence affords in this luxurious country.
The people who inhabit the villages
| II hnI OIL.
less athletic and finely moulded, perhaps,
than the Samoans, but next to them un-
doubtedly the most Interesting inhabit-
ants Of the South Seas. They are gener-
ally tall, of 1.-THE vet muscular forms,
amiable i'll countenauce, and as honestly
emotional as children. In their homes
they are neat, and show much artistic
taste in the manufacture Of various uten-
sils of wood and clay. The houses are
carpetcd with beautifully woven rugs Of
grass, and their walls hung with mats
and with tappa cloth stamped in fanciful
patterns Their beds consist Of piles Of
these mats, which are cool and as pleasant
to lie upon as Il hair mattress. For pill
lows they use small logs. or supports
made of cocoanut wood, which are often
elaboratcly carved, or set with beads and
shells in ianciful patterns.
Tnis peculiar and seemingly uncom
Portable species Of headrest Is made neces
s.ry bv the elaborate manner in which
the male FiJians arrange their hair. Do
ing very little in the matter Of clothing,
and not practjcing tattooing, as do the
Samoans and many other Of the island
tribes, they expend upon their head
dresses all the love for display which
seems inherent III the barbarous breast.
A Lairdrcssers the Fijians are the most
expert people in the world and show al
most - many STYLES as there are indivl
duals 10 display them. The practice 0,
bleaching the hair by coating it with {
paste Of powdered coral and water Is uni
ver-al, and bv changing the naturall,
black polls to every sl.aie of brown, red
aui yellow produces most singular ef
; fects This paste IS applied thickly L
the head at regular intervals and Is al
lowed to remain for several days. 1t i
then washed on. aud leaves the hair stiff
and wiry and standing straight ont from
the head III every direction. B. mani
puiation ar41 dressing with cocoanut oil
; * is gel in various fantastic styles
In one case il may he Gen twisted IN,
hundreds OF little wisps, which look lik
the strands Of mop when that usensil
violently whirled; IN smother it is ar