The San Francisco call., 1897-04-11
Barbarian
Fashions.

The differences existing in modes OF
ress, style of living and means of
subsistence in the civilized world has
b cen subject of much com ment, but
in those parts where the only emblance
of covering for the body is obtained
from nature, con sisting OF u narrow girdle
about the loins, mace from The manila
fiber or cocoanut (grass or paper), the con-
trast becomes ex ceedingly striking and a
subject OF in terest. 1t does not verify, ty
any means the poetical idea "that beauty
unadorned is ador ned the most"
The Kanakas of the South Sea Islands,
especially those clustering about New
Guinea, deem themselves most ornate
when their bodies are tattooed-the more
hideous, the more beautiful. On account
of the darkness of their skin it is impossi-
bic for them to make a display in the
ordinary acceptation of that art but it is
wrought by means of Introducing knife
beneath the skin, raising it from the body
so that 1t presents the appearances of a
wart These tattoos are placed in dif-
ferent parts OF the body as a distinguish 'h-
ing characteristic or designation of the
various tribal islanders. In some these
are placed in rows on the upper part of
the arm or shoulders, others on the breast,
and still others down the back between
the shoulders. They vary IN number
from three or more in line to dozen, or
are placed in double rows.
Another Idea of making themselves at
tractive is by means of piercing the lobe
of the ear and introducing into the open
ing small stick or bone. increasing the
size OF the aperture as nature heals the
wound until, in some instances, the open
ing becomes several inches in extent, and
the outer portion of the ear hanging down
the side of the head has the appearance
OF small piece of indiarubber tubing
attached to the ear. This distension is
often utilized in carrying their pipes,
when not in use, by twisting it around
the stem and placing the bowl close to the
ear, which holds it securely while they
are at work or walking.
1t IS said ''the glory of a woman is her
hair" but how the male portion OF the
wild Kanaka became SO thoroughly i'm
bued with such an ideal characteristic is
very chimerical.
To one who has never seen the almost
hideous modes by which the hair is made
to display his idea of esthetics the aston
ishment experienced would be difficult to
depict. The hair is usually worn long and
parted in the middle, especially by the
chiefs, and is colored in various hues, from
bright carmine 10 soft-t tinted golden hue
an sometimes pure white, though the
age OF the wearer might be less than
score of years. This coloring is accom-
plished by means of juice expressed from
certain nuts or berries in the first instance
and liberal application of thick solu-
ton Of limewater IN the latter. The lime
is obtained from burning pieces of coral
or shell, which are abundantly found on
the islands. A distinguishing mark by
the Protestant native is designated in the
peculiar style of his wearing the hair
pompadour, the heather dlsdaining to
adopt such style.
Ornaments made from q fat shell, SINH
lar in shape to our scallop, without cor
rugarions, are wrought into various shapes
and sizes and fastened by the hair, either
to droop upon the forehead, stand erect
about the front of the head or worn by
piece of fiber about the neck, or attached
to hair upon the breast, the supremacy of
the sterner sex usurping the right OF such
adornment. In one instance of decoration
the ''yerbena," or female. stands in equal
ity with her mate, viz: in the use of arm
let's. These are of m multiform construction
as to shape and size. made from shell
tortuise-shell or bone, and are usually
worn upon the arm between the elbow and
the shoulder, varying in number from one
10 Z score. These are placed upon the
native when quite young, and are held in
such esteem that even when the pleasure
is ofttimes turned into severe pain by the
growth OF the arm the flesh protruding on
either side above and below the armlets,
nothing will induce the wearers to part
with them, their idea being the larger the
arm and smaller the armlet the more Or
namentation.
Giving an appreciative description of
the grotesque paraphernalia which in
cum Der the natives when in full regalia
for their ''sing sing" or festive dances is
by no means an easy task, the festivities