SOME FOLK-SONGS AND MYTHS FROM SAMOA. 197 



natives, would surely be of some value to those who may take our places 

 in the twentieth century, — certainly of more value than the passing im- 

 pressions of tourists, who spend a few months on the islands and then 

 write a book ! But, alas ! there are no funds. 



I. — TlNGILAU AND SlNA, 



a Samoan love-tale. 



A '■Fangono. 1 



Tafitofau and Ongafau 1 had a daughter named Sina. 3 She 

 became an object of attraction to a crowd of young fops. Many 

 of them were suitors, but she refused every proposal ; her heart 

 was set upon Tingilau, 2 from whom she expected an offer. This 

 lady had never done any work except the plaiting of fine mats. 3 

 While she was cherishing a fond desire for Tingilau, she knew 

 not that her parents had a different person in view as her future 

 husband. 4 



The king of Fiti 5 came with his retinue to seek an alliance with 

 her. He anchored 6 opposite her home. He did not land, but 

 called out from his vessel : — 



O maiden Sina, thy plaiting forego ; the darkness is nigh ; 

 Come hither then to me ; to my home we shall fly. 



'Wait awhile,' responded the lady, 'I must consult my parents.' 

 She goes to them. ' A suitor is in the offing,' she exclaims. 

 ' What suitor % ' they ask. ' Tui-Fiti.' 5 ' Tell him to wait till you 

 are of marriageable age ; and reserve thou thyself for Tupu-o-le- 

 fanua.' 7 



The next suitor was Tingilau of Sa-Vavau. 7 He too came with 

 his retinue in a vessel, and called out from the deck : — 



O maiden Sina, thy plaiting forego ; the darkness is nigh ; 

 Come hither then to me ; to my home we shall fly. 



She went to her parents and reported this suitor also, but 

 received the same answer. Tingilau accordingly departed, but 

 met, coming on the same errand, Tupu-o-le-fanua, whom her 

 parents wished her to accept. He too called out from the deck 

 of his vessel : — 



O maiden Sina. thy plaiting forego ; the darkness is nigh ; 

 Come hither then to me ; to my home we shall fly. 



She reported to her parents that Tupu-o-le-fanua was now her 

 suitor. They were delighted, and began at once to make arrange- 

 ments for her marriage. But the lady wept. She was not will- 

 ing. She earnestly desired Tingilau. Then came her parents 

 and conveyed her forcibly on board the vessel; 8 the pair sailed 



