Linton — The Marquesas Islands 445 



LOCAL DIFFERENCES IN MATERIAL CULTURE 

 Although the material culture of the Marquesas seems to have been nearly 

 uniform, a few local differences are known to have existed. Most of these 

 differences seem to have consisted in a greater or less stressing of features com- 

 mon to the whole culture rather than in a clear-cut absence or presence of traits. 

 In view of the trade and intercourse which are known to have existed in the 

 group even in prehistoric times the survival of such differences seems to indicate 

 that at some former time the local distinctions were still more pronounced. It is 

 difficult at the present time to establish the extent of the local variation. The cul- 

 ture as a whole has broken down under European contact, and since the inter- 

 tribal wars have ceased there has been a considerable movement of the native 

 population. L^a Huka, in particular, is at present inhabited chiefly by persons 

 born in other parts of the group. 



For convenience of reference the local differences in materials and practice 

 may be summarized as follows : 



HOUSES 

 NUKU HIVA HIVA OA FATU HIVA 



House Platforms Large and well built. . .Small and less well built. Small and low 



Wide, some square Long and narrow Long and narrow 



Much cut stone Cut stone rare No cut stone 



Ornamental masonry. . .No ornamental masonry. No ornamental masonry 



Pit for tapu objects .... Common Absent Absent 



Ridge Pole Round Round or many sided. . . ( ?j 



Front Stringer Round or square Square or L shaped. . . .Square or L shaped 



'Pitch of rear roof Very steep Less steep (?) 



Ornamental lashings. . .Extensively used On roof only '( ?) 



Carved house posts Rare or absent Normal Common 



Ornamental stone 



images Not used Uncommon Not used 



Stone back rests Rare or absent Common 



Unique features of 



houses Bamboo partitions One grass house 



Opu type of popoi 



pounder Not used Common Rare 



Salt pounder Rare Not used Not used 



Shape of popoi trough . . .'Short and broad Long and narrow Long and narrow 



DRESS AND ORNAJIENT 

 NUKU HIVA HIVA 0.\ FATU HIVA 



Tapa Combined ute and Combined ute and 



breadfruit used (rare), breadfruit not used...(?) 



Tattooing Designs predominantly Designs predominantly 



angular, small natural- curvilinear, no natur- 



istic figures alistic figures Same as Hiva Oa 



Tattooing Implements . . Comb sometimes fixed Comb not fixed in 



permanently in handle, handle Comb not fixed in handle 



Taavaha Common Less common (?) 



Incrusted head ornament Present Not recorded Not recorded 



Paekaha Not made Common Common 



[185] 



