The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-06-29
The WOMEN OF TONGA,
beautiful Bellies Of nm Island in the Wsdt
ern Pacific.


4 Beantifui Bellies OF nm Island in the ties
ern Pacific.
In none of the countless islands ,
/ the western Paci6c-the Coral Eden.
OF poor X. L. Stevenson-has a trans
, ton from condition of ferocious sa,
agery to at least the appearance of fiji
de-siecle civilization been more rapid
Or more complete, than in Tonga.
beautiful island group in the wester
Pacific. formerly known as the Frienf
ly islands, and lying some distanc
south OF the Fijian and Samoan arch
pelagoes.
The Tongans were long known as
restless, ambitious and unscrupulou
people, always at war with neighbor
ing Islanders, and of cannibal propensi
ties, acquired from frequent inter
course with the ''long pig, eaters o
| Fiji Now the Tongans possess all tn,
machinery of a monarchical govern
ment, based upon European models
including a king, parliament and 8
long train of public officials. MANY O.
whom are well educated, dress and live
in European fashion and have tbe;,
meals prepared for them by Chinese
/ cooks There is regular code of laws
with governor for each of the large,
islands, judges, magistrates, police con.
sta bles, customs officers, and so forth,
together with an elaborate system OF
public instruction.
This remarkable change in the man.
ners and habits of whole people is
largely the result of missionary infiu-
ence. There is. however, some reason
to doubt whether it is real or merely
superficial. 1T has certainly been ac-
companied by marked improvement
In the status of the Tongan women.
who are, for the first time, placed upon
terms OF equality, in many respects.
with the native men, and enioy an
amount OF freedom unknown in most
OF the island communities.
The beneficial influence of settled
government and a regular system of
laws is shown in the generally pros
porous condition of the islands. the
larger ones being intersected by we'll
made roads, and covered with hipblv
cultivated farms, luxuriant orchards
and beautiful gardens; want and beg
gary are unknown; and if the condi.
lions 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 Tongans are of a delicate
llght-brOwn color, the men hayino n
Muscular, wcll-fed appearance, while
the women are famous far and wide
for the seductive expression of thei,
beautiful eyes, rivaling in softness and
significance those of the Andalusian
bellies, especially when accompanied
by coquettish use of the palm-leaf
fan.
The skin of the Tongan woman gen.
orally has silky appearance, the re-
suit OF plentiful application of palm
Dill, well rubbed in after a preliminarv
lip in some shady lagoon. This treat
nent leaves highly polished surface.
rec from the least trace of greasiness. |
Their dress is not picturesque. Itgen.
rally consists of cloth fastened |
ound the waist, ornamented at timea |
With long hanging tufts of dried
the head, shoulders, bust, arms.
lnees and feet remaining uncovered
'lthough kind of ribbon is sometimes
worm round the neck and across the
'reasts. One of their great grievances
that the native costume finds no
avor with the powers that be-" and is
ot allowed to be worn in public, being
immodest, although it is
ecided improvement on the mar.
ow circlet which in the early dav,
I Polynesian exploration, consti.
uted the sole attire of the female
ortion OF the population. Most of
ne Tongan women prefer to go about
are-headed, or, like their Samoan sis
srs, bedecked with flowers; but the
authorities, with grandmotherly care.
ondemn this practice, and prohibit
ne women from entering a church or
hapel unless wearing the orthodox
European hat or bonnet. The attempts
evade this unpopular edict frequent
lead to amusing incidents.
The principal occupation of the +,
omen, when not engaged with their I
omestic duties, consists in the man. {
facture of kind of cloth from the '
lner bark OF the white mulberry. the
lrk being soaked In water and beaten !
to shape with a rude wooden mallet. I
no process is long and laborious, but 7
le women generally enliven it by in |
ssant chatter or laughing. They are t
expert in catching fish, '
licago Times Herald. l
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