The Elbert County tribune., 1913-01-03
cCz1S2z1r Gz9Zs M
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notice it received

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
nzed his worth by making him high chief of
German Samoa after the partition of the islands,
The making and drinking of kava is daily
ceremony OF the Samoan household. Kaya is
their ordinary beverage. but there is any
relaxation of the formal etiquette connected with
its 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 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
metEysticum. 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 1t with OF
fbrous root which serves straner. This
. from time to time she tosses her shoulder
to another girl, who shakes from 1t the debris
and throws 1t back into the bowl Every mo-
tion 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 a
general invitation to everyone within hearing to
enter and participate, and the sound is well
come one to the thirsty wayfarer. Neighbor and
stranger are alike welcome. When all seated
in circle as large the house permits, the
ihouSh- WIN haue tht hdNd pTOCeeus 10 serve
it. Filling to the brim the polished thin shell OF
half cocoanut she sends 1t by another girl
to the member Of the household the guest
who is highest In rank. He receives the shell in
both hands. and with the salutation "manuia"-
good health and fortune-emptes 1t at single
draught To remove the cup from the lips be-
fore It Ia empty is a serious breach OF etiquette.
The newcomer In the islands finds this some
what of a task. for at first kava is not delect-
able beverage. tasting much like soapsuds. But
the liking for the drink grows rapidly and one
soon admits that 1t is both refreshing and de-
lightful.
Having emptied his cup OF kava the drinker
returns the shell to the maiden by spinning 1t
across the floor. never by the hand of the girl
who brought 1t to him. My first attempt to do
this sent the cup far wide OF the mark that
1t altogether upset the gravity of the occasion
and covered with confusion.
Not only In the morning does tho kava drink
ing take place. 1t marks all important events
conferences. and once It my privilege to
be present when every single point OF oldtme
etiquette rigidy observed. even to the chew
ing of the kava root by the maidens. had car
ried to Mulinuu important bit of information
for the Mataafa leaders-a tip that the British
point for weapons--and while the guns we're
being hastily concealed in the bush carried
aboard canoes. the Leaders were assembled to
discuss the AS they talked three really
handsom taupo madens prepared the kava In
the good old-fashioned way and nicely was II
done that had no desire to decline the cup even