The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1895-06-15
The WOMEN OF TONGA.
Beautiful Bellies of Island In tho Vgene. .
Pacific.


Beautiful Bellies OF ..n Island In tho West
| ern Pacific.
In none of the countless islands OF
the western Pacific-thc Coral Eide nsr
of poor X. i. Stevenson-has transi-
ton from 4 condition of ferocious saw
a%ery to at least the appearance of fin
de-siecle civilization been more IA pd
Or more complete, than in Tonga, a
beautiful island group in the western
pac.hc' formerly known as the Friend
ly islands, and lying some distance
south of the Fijian and Samoan archi-
pelagoes.
The IongaDs were long known as q
restless, am biticus and unscrupulous
people. always at war with neigh bor-
ing islanders, and of cannibal propensi-
ties, acquired from frequent inter-
course with the 'long pig" eaters of
Fiji. Now the Tongans possess all the
machinery of monarcllical govern
ment, based upon European models,
including a king. parliament and a
long train of public officials, many of
whom are well educated, dress and live
IN European fashion and have their
meals prepared for them by Chinese
cooks. There is a regular code of laws,
with governor for each of the larger
islands. judges, magistrates. police con-
sta bles. customs officers, and so forth,
together with an elaborate system of
This remark able change in the man.
ners and habits of u whole pcopie is
largely the result of missionary in flu
ence. There is. however, some reason
to doubt whether it is real or merely
superficial. 1t has certainly been ac-
com panied by a marked improvement
in the status of the Tonr;ln women
who are, for the first time, placed upon
terms of equality. in many respects,
with the nati~e men, and enjoy an
amount of freedom unknown in most
of the island communities.
The beneficial influence of q settled
government and regular system of
laws Is shown in the generally pros
porous condition of the islands, the
larger ones being intcrsected by we'll
made roads, and covered with highly
cultivated farms, 1uXuriant orchards
and beautiful gardens; want and beg
gary are unSnown; and if the condi-
tions of earthly happiness are to be
found anywhere, surely it must be in
Tonga. 1t is the real land of the lotus
eater-a country of sunshine and flow
ers. Unlike most of the Polynesian
peoples, the Tongaus are of a delicate
color, the men having a
Muscular, wcll-fed appearance, while
the women are famous far and wide
for the seductive expression of thei.
beautiful eyes. livaling in softncss and
those of the Andalusian
bellies, especially when acconpa MED
by q coquettish use of the pa lm-leaf
fan.
The skin of the Tongan woman gen
orally has silky appearance, the re-
suit of a plentiful application of palm
oil, well rubbed in after a preliminary
lip in some SHADY lagoon. This treat
nent leaves a highly polished surface,
rec from the least trace of greasiness.
Their dress is not picturesque. Itgen-
rally consists of a cloth fastened
'ound the waist, ornamentcd at ti1uee
With long hanging tufts of dried
grasses; the head, shoulders bust
knees and feet remaining uncovered,
a kind of ribbon is sometimes |
worm round the neck and across the |
breasts. One of their great grievances |
S that the native costume finds no
lot allowed to be worn in public, being
considered immodest, although it is q
lcclded improvement on the mar.
ow circlet which in the early days
# Po1ynesian exploration, consti-
uted' the sole attire of the female
'ortion of the population. Most of
he Tongan women prefer to go about
or, like their Samoan sis
ers, bcdecked with flowers; but the
with grandmotherly care,
ondemn this practice, and prohibit
he women from entering a church or
hapel unless wearing the orthodox
European hat or bonnet. The attempts |
o evade this unpopular edict frequent-
Y lead to amusing incidents.
The principal occupation of the
7omen. when not engaged with their
omestic duties. consists in the man
facture of a kind of cloth from the
nner bark of the white mul berry, the
ark being soaked IN water and beaten
ato shape with a rude wooden mallet.
he process is long and laborious. but
he women generally enliven it by in
essant chatter or laughing. They are
expert in catching fish,
hicago Vimes-Herald.
Thirst for Facts.
Paw, what does it mean when they
~ money tall<S?" asked Johnny.
|