734 TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION H. 



TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6. 

 The following Papers and Reports were read : — 



1. Kava-drinhing in Melanesia. By W. H. R. Rivers, M.A., M.D. 



It is usually supposed that the practice of drinking the infusion of the 

 root of Piper met/iysticam in Melanesia has been introduced from Polynesia, 

 but there are many facts in favour of its being an indigenous Melanesian 

 custom, or, if introduced, of far greater antiquity than other features of 

 Melanesian culture which can be ascribed to Polynesian influence. In the 

 Southern New Hebrides the infusion is called kava, and, so far as can be 

 judged from published accounts, the method of preparing it resembles that 

 practised in Polynesia. Here the practice may have been modified by Polynesian 

 influence. In the Northern New Hebrides, the Banks and Torres Islands, on 

 the other hand, there are indigenous names; the whole ceremonial of making 

 and drinking the infusion differs fundamentally from that of Polynesia, and the 

 use of the substance is closely connected with other social institutions. In 

 many cases the use of kava has a clearly religious character. 



The occurrence of kava-drinking in the Fly River region of New Guinea 

 suggests that the distribution of the custom may at one time have been very 

 wide, and that in the greater part of New Guinea and in Northern Melanesia 

 it has been replaced by betel. It is easy to understand how substances always 

 ready to hand for immediate use, such as the ingredients of the betel-mixture, 

 should have displaced one requiring the special and prolonged preparation which 

 is necessary in the case of kava. A good example of euch displacement is to be 

 found in the Polynesian island of Tikopia, where betel, almost certainly a 

 comparatively recent introduction, has in everyday life entirely displaced kava, 

 which is only used in the form of libations poured out at the graves of the 

 dead and during various religious ceremonies. 



2. A Sidelight on Exogamy. By Miss Alice C. Fletcher. 



Some of the theories as to the origin of this widespread custom were reviewed 

 and objections stated. No one explanation of exogamy is possible at the present 

 stage of our knowledge of the many and various peoples who practise it. 

 Evidences as to the reason for the practice of this custom among the Omaha 

 tribe and of five cognate tribes have been gathered during more than twenty 

 years of study among them. The organisation of these tribes is based upon 

 cosmic ideas, religious in character, and their influence can be traced in the 

 arrangement of the kinship groups and in the custom pertaaning to marriage, 

 which explain why these people practise exogamy. 



3. The Suk of East Africa. By Mervyn W. H. Beech, M.A. 



The Suk, or Pokwut, who live north of Lake Baringo, are of mixed origin, as 

 proved by language, appearance, and anthropometry. They are akin to the 

 Nandi, but there is a large aboriginal element. They were originally agricul- 

 turists, and their tribes are subdivided into totemic and exogamous clans. Their 

 social system resembles that of the Nandi. There are a number of customs con- 

 nected with marriage, birth, death, and inheritance. They have no chiefs, only 

 advisers— i.e., influential men with no real power. Cattle are their chief interest 

 and food. Portions of slaughtered animals are distributed according to age and 

 sex. _ There aro many beliefs and customs connected with cattle. Great pre- 

 caution is taken lest women touch men's food. Dre?s, weapons and ornaments, 

 and dances differ entirely frcm those of the Nandi, but resemble those of the 

 Turkana. The agriculturists have an elaborate system of land tenure and 

 interesting customs connected with cultivation, industries, and hunting. Religion 

 is vague. Comparison of customs connected with crime shows the hill tribes to 



