SAMOA. 029 



lot : all that may he called woi-k is performPfl by women, 

 even to the hearing of heavy hnnlens ; while the men con- 

 sider tliat fighting-, fishing, and voyaging constitute their 

 eqnal portion of hfe's cares. The Samoan shows some 

 gallantry and respect to his wife ; but the Papuan treats his 

 wife with contumely and harshness, often beating her with 

 savage brutality, and for a slight cause will kill her without 

 mncli comjnmctiow. 



The Tribe. 



The several tribes were constituted by the families who 

 were lineal descendants of the original possessors of the 

 country, probably concpierors of an earlier race, who were 

 extirpated or driven out before them. These tribes, at first, 

 were pure and distinct ; but in the course of time some 

 amalgamated, and others were divided by certain families 

 separating from their respective tribes and forming distinct 

 tribes under the elders or leaders of the secession. This 

 latter change occasionally arose from family quarrels, but 

 chiefiy through emigrations to found settlements in other 

 jiarts of the country. These emigrants retained their fealty 

 to the head chief of the original tribe, and were governed by 

 him in time of war, or in any important j)olitical movement ; 

 in other respects they were independent, and under the con- 

 trol of their own appointed head. 



Samoa is not only divided by several islands (eight), but 

 the people of each island are also separated by distinct 

 ])oHtical divisions, or districts, each embracing several tribes, 

 with a large number of chiefs, primary and secondary, termed 

 nil is and tulafales, similar to the arikis and rangatiras of the 

 Maories. In some of these districts, as on [Tpolu, a superior 

 or head chief resides, bearing the title of king, claiming 

 obedience and deference from all other chiefs of the district. 

 These, the Tni-Aana (king of Aana), and Tui- Atua (king of 

 Atua), are recognised as lineal descendants of some of the 

 ancient head chiefs. In addition to these there are families 

 almost as highly distinguished, such as the Tupua family, of 

 the Atua district, and the Sanga family, of Aana. 



Each pohtical division contains some principal villages or 

 capitals distinguished by a combination of chiefs or heads of 

 families, who in some degree control the affairs of the entire 

 district. These capitals bear the titles of Tumua and Lmnmia, 

 denoting their primacy and superiority. Le-ulu-moenga, the 

 capital of Aana, is also distinguished by the title of Fale-iva 

 (nine houses), denoting the nine principal chjefs who rule 



