The Colfax chronicle., 1903-05-09

for man. 1t is no idle, dreamy inter
est which they take in him, but al
active, lively one-they work for him
Until quite recently the Maor
woman did the majority of the man
ual labor of pah, such as foot
growing, sheep and cattle rearing
timber getting, and other necessary
jobs. This enabled the male .t
ramble at his leisure, to pick quar-
rels with and fight his enemies. The
women of old even went so far as to
assist in battle when they feared the
men were getting the worst of it.
The march of time and civilization
has, however altered things consid-
erably. The Maori woman of to-day.
like her European sister, has what she
calls her rights" and man, unless ELI
gible, lies neglected and uncared for,
whilst the charms of his sisters are
sung in the pahs and lauded in the
bush. The beautiful, thick, raven locks
of the Maori girl, her dark, flashing
eyes, and firm, well-rounded limbs are
well illustrated in the accompanying
photographs.
Free from the bonds of convention,
this native beauty grows up full of
wild grace and fearless temperament.
She rides, shoots, hunts, makes love, and
attends to her toilet in much the same
way as any other woman; but she has
a peculiar and natural charm that fas-
cinates beyond all the studied wiles of
her fairer sisters. The soft, even tones
of her voice are enough in themselves
to win the admiration of any man, and,
combined with her charming manner
and the interest she takes in every
thing around and about her, easily ac-
count for her success in life. The pref
ty Maori girl is now a much sought
after individual. AT country dance
or party she lacks no partners; her
only trouble is in making up her mind
which to choose. The even step and
rhythmic swing of her dancing make
the white girls chance of partners poor.
kissing, as we know it, brings no
blush to the maiden's cheek, nor would
she thank her brave were he to greet
her with, the soft kiss of European
fame. Nose rubbing is their form of
salutation, and when two friends meet
they hold each other by their hands,
bend their heads until their noses
touch, and then rub then gently from
side to side. This form of greeting is
not confined to women, but is prac-
ticed by the men; they seldom meet
rubbing noses.
In times of lamentation the Maori
women will sit for hours with their
noses touching and moan for the loss
Of some chief whom they have in all
probability never seen. The loss of a |
brother or friend is enough to start
hem on for days, all moaning and
bowling piteously. They are essen
tally sympathetic race, and the
sorrows of one are the sorrows of all.
But, in spite of these peculiarities. the
Maori woman is splendid creature,
and many white man has found an
EXCELLENT wife amongst them. Mar
'iage, to them, is solemn obligation.
ind, though there is practically no cere-
nony attached to ii, when the chief Of
heir tribe has given a maiden 10 her
over she is bound to him for all time.
amongst them is rare, and
hough their code of honor and recti-
ude is crude it is strictly adhered to.
Many of the early beauties disfip-
red their faces by tatooing the lower
ip and chin; but now that custom has
ompletely died out, and no blemisb
nars the clear compilations of these
usky beauties.