Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1913-01-03
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in the newspapers.
Perhaps the German papers paid some tribute to
his memory, for the Germans in Samoa, though
they could not maintain him the throne
against the Americans and the British, recog-
nized his worth by making him high chief OF
German Samoa after the partition of the Islands
The making and drinking Of kava is a daily
ceremony of the Samoan household. Kava Is
their ordinary beverage, but there is never any
relaxation of the formal etiquette connected with
It's consumption. 1t Is made and served usually
quite early in the morning. Already the mem
bers of the family have taken their daily bath
in the or, preferably, in stream or fresh
water pool, and the women have dressed their
abundant black locks. The big wooden kava
bowl Is taken down from the hut post and the
maidens prepare the dried root Of the piper
methysticum. Formerly they chewed it after
carefully rinsing out their mouths, but In later
times 1t usually Is grated One of the girls sits
in front Of the bowl and pours water upon the
kava, meanwhile stirring it with a Of
fbrous root which serves strainer This
from time to time she losses over her shoulder
to another girl, who shakes from it the debris
and throws it back into the bowl. Every
ton, the stirring the tossing, the shaking, is
done in a stated way that must not vary.
Finally the drink is brewed and the fact is an
nounced by the clapping Of hands. This Is
general invitation to everyone within hearing to
enter and participate. and the sound is a vel
stranger are alike welcome. When all are seated
in circle large ,the house permits. the
maiden who made the kava proceeds to
it. Filling to the brm the polished, thin shell of
a half cocoanut, she sends 1t by another girl
to the member of the household or the guest
who Is highest in rank He receives the shell In
both hands and with the salutation "manuia"-
good health and fortune-empties 1t at a single
draught To remove the cup from the lips be-
fore II is empty Is a serious breach of etiquette.
The newcomer in the islands finds this some
what of a task. Cor at first kava is not a delect-
able beverage tasting much like soapsuds. But
the liking for the drink grows rapidly and one
admits that II is both refreshing and de-
lightful
Having emptied his cup of kava, the drinker
returns the shell TO the maiden bv spinning II
across the floor. never by the hand of the girl
who brought 1t to him. Ny first attempt to do
this sent the cup so far wide of the mark that
it altogether upset the gravity OF the occasion
and covered with confusion.
Not only in che morning does the kava drink
ing take place IL marks all important events
conferences and once IL my privilege to
be present when every single point OF old-time
etiquette rigdly observed. to the chew
ing OF the kava root by the madens. had car
red to Mulinuu important bit OF information
for the Mataafa leaders, tip that the British
were TO land a party of marines TO search the
poin, for weapons-and while the guns were
being hastily concealed In the bush or carried
aboard canoes the leaders were assembled to
discuss the news AS they talked three really
handsom taupo maidens prepared the kava In
the good old-fashoned way. and so nicely was Il
done thai had no desire to decline the cup ever