The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1913-01-18


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 daily
ceremony of the Samoan household. Kava Isl
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 tie women hove dressed their
abundant black locks. The zig wooden kava
bowl is taken down from the hut post and the
maidens prepare the dried root of the piper
methysticum Formerly they chewed 1t 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 a mass of
hbrous root which serves as strainer. This
from time to time she losses over 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 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 to the thirsty wayfarer Neighbor and
stranger are alike welcome When all are seated
in circle as large as the house permits the
maiden who made the kava proceeds to serve
It. Filling to the brim the polished, thin shell Of
half cocoanut. she sends Ii 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 1t is empty is serious breach Of etiquette
The newcomer in the islands finds this some
what of 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 drnker
returns the shell to the maiden by spinning 1t
across the floor never by the hand of the girl
who brought it to him My first attempt to do
this sent the cup so far wide of the mark that
1t altogether upset the gravity of the occasion
and covered me with confusion.
Not only in the morning does the kava drink
ing take place. 1t marks all important events
conferences. and once it was my privilege to
be present when every single point of old-time
etiquette rigidly observed even to the chew
ing of the kava root by the maidens. had car
ried to Muinuu an important bit of Information
for the Mataafa leaders, tip that the British
were to land a 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 were assembled to
discuss the news. As they talked three really
handsom taurs maidens prepared the kaya In
the good oldfashioned way and 80 nicely was II
done that had no desire to decline the cup even