Charlevoix county herald., 1913-01-25
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WZ2DL1TS ATII2E


in the newspapers
Perhaps the German papers paid some tribute 10
his memory, for the Germans in Samoa. though
they could not maintain him on 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 a daily
ceremony OF the Samoan household Kava is
their ordinary beverage, but there Is never 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 sea 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 rnsing out their mouths but In later
times It usually is grated. One OF the girls sits
I'm front of the bowl and pours water upon the
kava. meanwhile stirring Il with mass OF
fbrous root which a strainer. This
from time to time she tosses over her shoulder
to another girl who shakes from it the debris
and throws II back into the bowl. Every mo-
ton. the stirring, the tossing, the shaking, IL
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 wei
to the thirsty wayfarer. Neighbor and
stranger alike welcome. When all are seated
in circle large the house permits. the
maiden who made the kava proceeds to
&C. Filling to the brm the polished. thin shell OF
half a cocoanut, she sends IL 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 II at single
draught To remove the cup from the lips be
fore II Is empty is serious breach OF etiquette.
To-, 81, ArIa
what OF task. for 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 by spinning II
across the floor never by the hand OF the girl
who brought II TO him. My first attempt to do
this sent the cup far wide OF the mark that
it altogether upset the gravity OF the occasion
and covered me with confusion.
Not only in the morning does the kava drink
ing take place. IL marks all important events
or conferences and once II my privilege to
be present when every single point OF old-time
etiquette was rgidly observed to the chew
ing OF the kava root by the maidens. had
Tied to Mulinuu important bit OF information
for the Mataafa leaders, tip that the British
were to land party OF marines to search the
point for weapOns-and while the guns were
being hastily concealed in the bush or carried
aboard canoes the leaders assembled to
discuss the news. AS they talked three really
handsom teupo maidens prepared the kava in
the good oil lfashiCned way, and nicely IL
done that had no desire TO decline the cup even