Ceremonial positions

Within the round guest house there are set positions to be occupied by the chiefs on all ceremonial occasions. The two rounded ends are the places of honor: entering from the front, that on the right is occupied by the village chiefs; that on the left by the visitors. The middle end posts serve as back rests for the chiefs of highest rank on either side. The lesser chiefs range on either side, and each selects a wall post. Thus the middle end posts are often distinguished in some manner. It may be larger in size, carved, or with a more elaborate sennit design on the lashing to the curb plate. Two posts may be close together, or smaller posts may be close to the middle one, one on either side.

Usually the itu (middle section) has three wall posts. The principal visiting talking chief sits by the middle one on the front side (luma). His colleagues sit on either side of him. The back (tua) of the middle section is occupied by those who have to do with the preparation of kava. The village taupou maiden sits in the middle line with the kava bowl in front of her. On page 97seither side of her sits an assistant—usually, but not necessarily, females. About midway between his own high chief and the visiting talking chief sits the principal talking chief of the village. Sometimes he occupies the opposite postion near the back. By belittling himself he exalts himself. Near him sit his colleagues.

In Manua, a curious distinction exists. Custom holds that a meeting is not properly constituted unless four talking chiefs direct matters. Hence, in their houses, the middle section has four wall posts in order that each talking chief may have a post. The custom of each chief having a post may have originated out of their utilitarian use as back rests. They are so used. The feature of importance has come to be the position as denoting function and status. A person without a post has no status in the house, and he could not enter except to serve with the attendants at the back of the house.