Primitive Games. 287 



this occasion each player takes a dose of thoroughly 

 spoiled paivvarie and — it is perhaps hardly necessary to 

 throw light on what goes on under cover of the darkness 

 that morning, but before dawn each player feels within 

 himself a void which only a great quantity of fresh pai- 

 warie can fill. 



Soon after play begins. At first chiefly the men take 

 part in it — though after a time some of the women occa- 

 sionally break into the line and take part. At first too 

 the proceedings are more like that of an ordinary pai- 

 warie dance, the players standing opposite to each other 

 in two lines, their arms round each other's necks or waists, 

 and these two lines approach and retreat from each other 

 with much rhythmic stamping. Suddenly this play is 

 abandoned and the real business of the macquari begins. 

 This may be said to take chiefly two forms, alternating, 

 in the first of which only the men take part, while the 

 women share in the second. 



In the former, in which the really serious business 

 takes place, two lines of men and boys stand facing each 

 other, each provided with a whip, and the two at one 

 end having the two whistles. The members of the 

 opposite rank stamp rhythmically at each other, all keeping 

 up a constant shouting of Yau-au (like au in German 

 Frau), all waving their whips. Suddenly the two with 

 the whistles pass down from their end, between the 

 lines, to the opposite end, the two lines meanwhile 

 moving up in an opposite direction. More stamping 

 follows ; and then the two whistlers begin excitedly 

 whistling at each other. This is done with the most 

 comical vehemence, the two holding their heads in oppo- 

 site directions to each other while whistling, and each of 



