The Tupelo journal., 1908-07-31
MHWJ or R4G0 Rc0 dH0A WITH PIN HMUED
2

from sumatra; the Australian. the lowest aboriginal known, and the Samoan
the highest, both from the anne parent stock about the sam time. 1t appears
a little awkward historically. We will leave that matter with the ethnodossL
Our sailors saw for themselves that the typical Samoan is generally a m
qualities.
Most people remember how the island of Tutu1la can einoth he possession
of the United States sin 1899 with som unimportant surrounding lslets; dhu
will recall also the International squabble involving England, Germany, m
the United States. al to whether Mataafa o. Mahe,oa Laupepa shou d. KING.
England withdrew and the home governments compromised on an agreement
that the islands should be divided between Germany and the United states
the latter taking owe the island Of Tutuia which contains TIT small ot lux
harbor of Page Page.
The island of Tutuia is II miles in length an three OF four in width
and the inlet constituting the harbor of Page Page is about TWO miles III
length and a half mile in width, surrounded by heavily wooded fountains
The choice of Samoa by Stevenson as a health home has done much 10
bring a knowledge of these islands to the notice of the world IN IN W.
thors havee even called the group "Steyensons Samoa" ut Stevensons nome
was O. the island of Upoa-the middle one of the three important members,
and lot far from Alta, the capital of the German portion OF the group WHICH
is about rs miles from Page Page.
The native people with warm brown skin, their houses without any IN
closing walls and with palmthatched roofs, most attracted the attention
of the naval lads. The typical Samoan must lot be judged by the 'beacn
types who ire generally meniaized by contact with travellers eaiarns
men. h etre characteristics OF the Samoan, as in other pars OF me "ou
must be sought among the rural folks, and this cn only be done during a
prolonged soOurn. A foreigner need have no fear in penetrating the INTERIOR;
he is quite safe and ever welcomed with a sincere "talofa" The tapo or behe
of their favorite beverage called Kava. Poi S already mentioned, is a a
tonal dish with the Kanaka, which the fleet boys sampled; at Page Page they
tried the Samoan national drink. Although the tao be fair as fairness oes
in Samoa, also be the daughter of a chief or family OF hgh ran
a she usually is, and although womanhood generally is here of a vigorous
order, the well known ganantry of ver see warriors vas hardly equal to a cup
of the refreshing Kava after the process of manufacture became known. Kaya
is made from TIT roo of the plant Piper methystcum, its chemlsry IN
wolves a rather unusual manipulation, o should rather say, stcatl n
prettest maids are selected for Kava making; they are seated around a huge
wooden bowl; the green or dry Kava roc is cut into small pieces; and after
Ia girls w been required to rinse out their mouths. they all proceed 10
chew To- sliced root. AS fasta IS thoroughly chewed it is stored up in their
cheeks, chipmunk fashion, until the fulness becomes burdensome, when they
disgorge into the wooden bowl until sufficient has been chewed for the com-
with a bunch of ROOTS and delivered in a cocoanut cup first to the most i'm
portant guest who drinks and spins the empty cup back to be refned for the
enough. gallant enough, brave enough, to drink Kava with the Samoan lassies.
Taofa Samoa!