The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1913-01-18
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peiago the adherents OF Mataafa had
assembled Mulinuu Point Just outside Apia
and there took place almost daily some decid-
sdly picturesque doings.
Biggest and best Of these. naturally. was the
coronation of the white-haired old chief though
the word ID q misnomer for there no crown.
4ataafa sat alone in the center of a large open
space. and all around, in the shelter of palms
and banana trees were thousands of natives and
the entire white population of UpoIa island. The
kings own house turned to the
suls naval officers and other distinguished per-
sons. When all was ready five ancient talking
men. representing the chief districts, advanced
until within hundred feet Of Mataafs and de-
livered long addresses to him upon his duties
as ruler concluding with the administering of
what passed for the oath of Office. The king
replied with utmost dignity, rising to speak. and
the talking men thereupon closed in on him and
anointed his head with sacred oil. His
majesty then retired amid the loud cheers of
his people, and the rest of the afternoon and
the evening was given up to feasting. The inno-
cent revelrfes were not lessened by the fact that
bloody war was imminent. On the other side
Of the town were encamped the forces of Tanu.
and to precipitste the conflict there was needed
only the decision of the white judge Of the
preme court that Mataafa's election was invalid.
That came later. and so did the fighting
Next day we all went out again to "talo-
To-" or food procession. Once more Mataafa sat
IN state and before him filed his subjects. long
line of men, women and children. Leading the
delegation from each district or village was it's
especial taupo the maiden who is designated
oficial hostess OF her village and who retains
the office until her marriage. She was attired
only In the old-time lava lava. skirt of bark
cloth and her ornaments consisted of flowers.
wreaths and plenty Of palm oil. Chanting some
ancient song In archaic language. she danced in
advance of the slowly moving and chanting pro-
cession for some fifty yards and then waited I'M
I'll the talking men who led 1t reached her side
This was repeated all along the beautiful path
way until the throne" reached. AS each
person passed the king he or she tossed in
heap before his majesty some article Of food
One might bring live pig trussed up but
suuealine; another a squawking fowl. or a fine
ish wrapped In fresh leaves; another huge
bunch of bananas, or a basket OF pineappIes
But not one was without his offering. If it
was but breadfruit or a piece of taro. &c.
dancing and singing the parade passed and
then. without any sense Of the ridiculous. broke
mn. turned back and helped the king eat up all
the gifts That was indeed monster feast
Perhaps the people ate up Mataafa's food with
the less conjunction because they knew how
sbstemious he was One morning l called on
his majesty by appointment and found him at his
breakfast The royal meal consisted of bowl
Of kava and two bananas big purple ones of
variety not known here: and the king courteous
" offered to share the fruit with me. Grave
wiselooking and big physically. mentally and
morally. Mataafa sat there crosslegged In his
simple hut and chatted with me about his loved
friend, Robert Louis Stevenson. munchng his
banana and driving away the dies with his ny
napper. He was q true noblemen and his death
list summer deserved more than the fourline