391* cook's voyage to july, 



sitting before him, within an inclosure so small and 

 dirty, as to excite my wonder that any such could 

 be found in that neighbourhood. They were intent 

 upon their usual morning occupation, in preparing a 

 bowl of /cava. As this was no liquor for us, we 

 walked out to visit some of our friends, and to ob- 

 serve what preparations might be making for the 

 ceremony, which was soon to begin. About ten 

 o'clock the people began to assemble in a large area, 

 which is before the malaee, or great house, to which 

 we had been conducted the first time we visited 

 Mooa. At the end of a road that opens into this 

 area, stood some men with spears and clubs, who 

 kept constantly reciting or chanting short sentences, 

 in a mournful tone, which conveyed some idea of 

 distress, and as if they called for something. This 

 was continued about an hour ; and, in the mean 

 time, many people came down the road, each of them 

 bringing a yam tied to the middle of a pole, which 

 they laid down before the persons who continued 

 repeating the sentences. While this was going on, 

 the king and prince arrived, and seated themselves 

 upon the area ; and we were desired to sit down by 

 them, but to pull off our hats, and to untie our hair. 

 The bearers of the yams being all come in, each pole 

 was taken up between two men, who carried it over 

 their shoulders. After forming themselves into com- 

 panies of ten or twelve persons each, they marched 

 across the place with a quick pace, each company, 

 headed by a man bearing a club or spear, and guarded 

 on the right bv several others armed with different 

 weapons. A man carrying a living pigeon on a 

 perch, closed the rear of the procession, in which 

 about two hundred and di'ty persons walked. 



Omai was desired by me to ask the chief to what 

 place the yams were to be thus carried with so much 

 solemnity ? but, as he seemed unwilling to give us 

 the information we wanted, two or three of us fol- 

 lowed the procession, contrary to his inclination, 



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