This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1897 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VI AMUSEMENTS, TRADES, AND EMPLOYMENTS OF SAMOA Of amusements indulged in by the Samoans none were more popular than the dances, of which there were five kinds. The greatest favourite was the Po-ula (night of play or pleasure). This was an obscene night dance, and a constant source of enjoyment, especially when any visitors were present to take part in it. As the evening set in, the spectators as well as dancers began to assemble, after much care had been bestowed upon their dresses and general make-up. The only covering of the males consisted of the titi, or girdle of leaves, often not more than seven or eight inches in width, and about the same in depth, whilst that of the females consisted of a white or red shaggy mat around the loins, the upper part of the body being uncovered, Both sexes paid great attention to their hair, that of the males being long and allowed to hang loosely over the shoulders, whilst the females, who wore their hair short, stiffened it with pulu, breadfruit pitch, or else dressed it with a pomade of a certain kind of light-coloured clay, which was afterwards washed off with lime water, thus dyeing the hair to a much-coveted brown colour. Armlets, frontlets, or garlands of flowers, when procurable, with some large blue or other beads, completed the gala dress of both sexes, not omitting cocoanut and other scented oils with which the company profusely anointed themselves. When all were assembled, the performance commenced with the Tafua-le-fala, which consisted of beating a roll of matting as a substitute for a drum. After this one of the performers commenced singing a song, the rest of the company joining in the chorus. These songs varied as to the subject, but they usually contained figurative allusions...