632 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION G. 



taking a stoopino- or sitting- posture in liis presenop. Certain 

 articles of food were specially set apart for him ; certain tisb, 

 &c. were claimed by him antl tabu ; and the tirst cuj) of kava 

 at feasts was presented to him by risht of precedence. In 

 travelHng by land he walks at the head, and, by water, a seat 

 is provided for him in the forepart of the canoe. 



Chiefs mingle freely with their followers in their daily 

 duties, and will work as an ordinary person in the plantations, 

 in hunting and fishing, and in house and canoe building. If 

 the house or canoe be for himself, he will probably quietly sit 

 among the workers {tufvgu), conversing with them or cheering 

 them on in their operations. He will see to providing food 

 for them and the payment required during the progress of 

 the work. 



In almost every Samoan village there is a place of council 

 (marae), an open green spot within a circle of houses and trees. 

 The centre is occupied by a large house belonging to the 

 chief, and set apart as a caravansai-y for the entei'tainnient of 

 strangers and visitors. In these waraes the parliament and 

 councils meet and transact public business, both that of the 

 separate communities and also of more pnblic and general 

 affairs. The council is open to all the leaders of the 

 community for free discussion and deliberation — to the faljmlcs 

 (chiefs and rulers) and tulafules (heads of families). Great 

 decorum is maintained in these conferences. Certain i-nles 

 are strictly observed, and any infractions would be considered 

 insulting, or at least, a boorish rudeness. Kings and high 

 chiefs had their own orators, and seldom spoke themselves at 

 the councils. At the opening of a debate probably three or 

 four would arise together to speak (as a mere matter of 

 formahty), and then each would quietly recount his family 

 pedigree in genealogical order. In due course one after the 

 other would resume his seat, giving precedence to his superior, 

 until the highest would te left in possession of the field, and 

 o])en the debate, addressing each chief present, or represented, 

 by his \arious titles. IN'ot a man or an animal would be 

 permitted to cross the marae while the speaker was engaged 

 in his harangue. The only interruption that was pleasantly 

 tolerated Avas fi'om the an-ival of food which had been pro- 

 vided for the chiefs in the assembly. This food is brought in 

 by the women and young men and boys and girls in orderly 

 procession, and taken, in the first instance, to the principal 

 chief, Avho will send portions to one and another present ; and 

 those receiving it will, in ]ike manner divide out to others. 



