352 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES, 
who were considered to have descended from the gods. 
When these walked out during the season of tabu, the 
people prostrated themselves, with their faces touching 
the ground, as they passed along. A mark of homage, 
however, equally humiliating to those who rendered it, 
and probably as flattering to the individuals by whom it 
was received, was in far more extensive and perpetual 
use among the Tahitians. This was, the stripping down 
the upper garments, and uncovering the body as low as 
the waist, in the presence of the king. This homage 
was paid to the gods, and also to their temples. In 
passing these, every individual, either walking on the 
shore, or sailing in a canoe, removed whatever article of 
dress he wore upon the shoulders and breast, and passed 
uncovered the depository of the deities, the site of their 
altars, or the rude temples of their worship. 
Whenever the king appeared abroad, or the people 
approached his presence, this mark of reverence was 
required from all ranks ; his own father and mother were 
not excepted, but were generally the first to uncover 
themselves when he approached. The people inhabiting 
the district through which he passed, uncovered as he 
approached ^ and those who sat in the houses by the 
road-side, as soon as they heard the cry of te arii, te 
ariiy the king, the king,’^ stripped off their upper gar¬ 
ments, and did not venture to replace them till he had 
passed. If by any accident he came upon them un¬ 
expectedly, the cloth they wore was instantly rent in 
pieces, and an atonement offered. Any individual whom 
he might pass on the road, should he hesitate to remove 
this part of his dress, would be in danger of losing his 
life on the spot, or of being marked as a victim of sacri¬ 
fice to the gods. 
