The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-08-03
IN THE MARQUESAS.
the Now York Advertiser


There are, perhaps, among the many
groups of islands that stud the eXpanss
of the broad Pacific like glorious emer-
aids, clusters some that are more beau
tiful than the Marquesas, but it is safe
to say there are none that are more in
teresting. While engaged in whaling,
as young man, | visited the Mar
ouesas islands a number of times, and
always with increasing interest. This
group was discovered about two hun
dred years ago by Spanish navigator
named Mandana, and the islands are
sometimes named after him.
The Marquesas group, being of vol
canic origin, are distinguished by lofty
mountain peaks that look from dis
tance like the remains of titanic ruins.
Being situated near the equator the
climate is warm and the vegetation is
peculiarly luxurisrt. The natives OF
these islands are splendid specimens of
humanity, the men being remarkable
for their fine forms, great stature and
marvellous strength. l remember see
ing a chief measured who stood six feet
eight inches in height, and he was
straight as a lance and as perfectly
proportional as a Greek statue, and
when we wondered at his size he
laughed and told us that he had
brother who was much taller than him
self.
Owing to the climate, the only dress
of the Marquesans is a strip of bark
cloth about the waist, but they make
up for the want of raiment by the
most elaborate system of tattooing 1
have ever seen. They tattoo every
part OF the body, even to the palms of
their hands, the toes of the feet and
the shaven parts of their heads. This
tattooing is of the most elaborate
design. The intricate patterns, how
ever. are seen only on men, the women
combining themselves to bracelet, tat
tOoed on the arm. or a few blue rings
on the fingers. The men who do the
tattooing are artists in their way, and
are supported in royal style at the ex-
pense of the people into whose skiRs
they prick their curious patterns
While the men are so tall and hand
some. curiously enough the women are
comparatively short Of stature, being
stumpy and awkward in their figures.
and not particularly good looking.
Like all savage children, those of the
Marquesas islands are slender, graceful
and remarkably pretty. From child
hood up 10 old age they delight in ar
ranging their hair IN the most fantas-
tic fashion. Sometimes the whole crown
Is shaven except two tufts, one on each
side of the head. which resembles horns
Again. the hair i dressed in little
punches. the spaces between them being
shaver. each bunch being crowned By
a bri ght sea shell or flower.
But it Is not only IN their dress and
appearance that the Marques7ns are
peculiar. Their houses are entirely
different from those OF the other Is
landers They are usually built q
stone. and some Of them arc two stories
in height. access TO the upper floors BE-
ing had By means OF ladders, which are
used from the outside. ent rance bring
made through the openings made for
windows As in al warm countries
fires for cooking are built away from
the houses. usually under 4 tree and
without any protecting root Like The
Samoans aud Fuians. these peop.e
sleep on mats. IN the manufacture q
which they show great skill
The Marquesans are very ford q
children aud every time q child ,
born 70 one OF their chiefs theT ouild
for Il a pretty little house and adorn
il with TOYS suitable 20 the sex
The people live IN villages. for they
are very social. and n The center u
every cluster q houses there l. a.
ways TO be found a roofed-in amp
thezter IN which they hold their dances
al the fun OF every moon These
dances are largely social bat they
still have religious siguineanee,
though the people claim 70 be CHRIS
EaEA