SAMOAN GROUP. 



141 



is well adapted to the climate, being cool, and the necessity of frequent 

 change insures cleanliness. 



The Wesleyan missionaries from the Friendly Islands have intro- 

 duced the siapo, of Tonga, which has now come into common use. It 

 is soft, pliable, and not glazed, and is principally used as a wrapper, 

 after the manner of the pareu of the Tahiti Islanders. A piece of 

 cotton cloth is usually worn by the chiefs as a siapo. 



The maro is worn when engaged in active exercise, or in war ? as 

 being less cumbrous. The women often wear a beautifully white 

 shaggy mat (ie sina), hanging from the neck to the feet. It is woven 

 by hand from the fine threads of the hibiscus ; they also sometimes 

 wear wrappers of the siapo form, and the tiputa, a kind of poncho, of 

 the same material, after the old fashion of the Tahitians, which is 

 more becoming than the loose gown introduced into that island by the 

 missionaries. 



There is another kind of mat, of very fine texture, worn on great 

 occasions, and used in their dances as a kind of cloak. It is orna- 

 mented with a border of red feathers. This is the most valuable 

 property they possess, for they cost much pains to the manufacturers, 

 and are often a year or eighteen months in their hands. 



In the way of ornaments they use but few. The men usually wear 

 a shell (the ovula) suspended around the neck by a string. 



Their hair formerly claimed much of their attention, as it does still 

 that of the heathen, who, as has been seen, wear it long and have it 

 nicely combed and twisted up in a knot on the top of the head. The 

 females frequently used to wear a wreath of flowers, which gave them 

 a picturesque and pleasant appearance ; but the use of flowers as orna- 

 ments has been interdicted by the missionary teachers. 



Tattooing, if not in reality, at least in appear- 

 ance, may be said to form a part of dress. It is 

 performed by persons who make it a regular 

 business. The age at which it takes place is 

 from fourteen to eighteen, and is usually con- 

 sidered the initiation to manhood. The usual 

 colouring matter is obtained from the kernel of 

 the candle-nut. Tattooing is here called ta-ta- 

 tau, and is tastefully drawn. The natives are 

 very fond of it. It is expensive to the family, 

 for the operator always receives a high price 

 for his labour, consisting of the finest mats, 

 siapo, and other property, as agreed upon 

 before the operation is begun. The instrument 



