Charlevoix county herald., 1913-01-25

sn bamoa at a time when It was possible N$#$
30 witness various ceremonials not often
seen. Malietoa recently dead, Ma ~ IN
saafa elected king by majority of
faS people and Tanu had been chosen 49,
ny the minority and, what
.:: FROM y 4. n: g; s: 's :sS
selago the adherents OF Mataafa had
assembled on Mulinuu Point just outside Apia
and there took place almost daily some decid-
eddy picturesque doings.
Biggest and best OF these, naturally, was the
coronation Of the white haired old chief though
sAe word is misnomer for there was no crown
Rataafa sat alone in the center of large open
space, and all around, In the shelter of palms
sad banana trees were thousands OF natives and
Ehe entire white population of Upola island. The
Rings own house turned to the
sas, naval officers and other distinguished per-
sOns When all was ready five ancient talking
saen" representing the chief districts advanced
until within hundred feet OF Maaafa and de-
nyered long addresses to him upon his duties
rs ruler. concluding with the administering OF
What passed for the oath OF office. The king
replled with utmost dignity rising to speak and
she talking men thereupon closed in on him and
sHSahted his head with a sacred oil. His
majesty then retired amid the loud cheers OF
Als people. and the rest OF the afternoon and
che evening was given up to feasting. The limo
AssA yevelrtes were not lessened by the fact that
bloody war was imminent. On the other side
OF the town were encampeu the forces OF ANU
Aaa to precpitate the conflict there was needed
onsy the decision OF the white Judge OF the su-
creme court that Mataafas election was invalid.
That came later and SO did the fighting
Next day we ell went out again to see a "talo-
Co." or food procession. Once more Mataafa sat
IA state and before him filed his subjects, a long
&ae o; men. women and children. Leading the
sesegation from each district or village was Its
csSeciai taupo the maiden who is designated
>salciai hostess OF her village and who retains
che ONCE until her marriage. She was attired
only In the old-tlme lava lava. or skirt OF bark
cloth and her ornaments consisted or flowers,
v,eaths and plenty OF palm oil. Chanting some
ancient song In archaic language. she danced In
advance OF the slowly moving and chanting pro-
esssion for some fifty yards and then waited un
az the talking men who led II reached her side
This was repeated all along the beautiful path
Way until the throne was reached. AS each
Serson passed the king he or she tossed In
heap before his majesty some article OF food
One might bring live pig, trussed up but
soaealing; another a squawkng fowl or a hne
ssA wrapped In fresh leaves; another a huge
stsnch OF bananas basket OF pineapples
ssrt not one was without his Offering, even If It
~As but a breadfruit or a piece OF taro SO,
dancing and singing, the parade passed. and
aaen without any sense or the ridiculous. broke
.p turned back and helped the king eat up all
she Gifts That was indeed a monster feast,
Perhaps the people ate up Mataafas food with
sAA less compunction because they knew how
.n.,er,ou he was. One morning I called on
ais majesty by appointment and 'onud him at his
breakfast The royal meal consisted OF bowl
a, taya and two bananas big purple ones of "A
variety not known here; and the king courteous
~ offered to share the fruit with me. Grave
glse-iooking and big physically. mentally and
morally. Mataafa sat there crosslegged in his
simple hut aud chatted with me about his loved
friend. Robert Louis Stevenson. munching his
Sa9ana AID driving away the flies with his ny
sa2per Sic was true nObleman and his death
tai sunnss asSsrys5 mora GaaD the four line