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Samoan Material Culture

The stranger's post

The stranger's post

An interesting custom exists with regard to the rights of a stranger to demand hospitality at a feast. A stranger who comes as a guest is, of course, provided for in the usual way. The stranger who is unheralded and unknown has the right to the stranger's post. Entering" from the front, it is on the" left in the guests' section (tala). Being careful to eliminate the wall posts of the middle section, he commences counting from the post nearest it. The fourth wall post is the stranger's post. If the stranger is of chief's rank, he takes the fourth post on the front, but if beneath that rank, he takes the corresponding fourth post at the back. No matter what chief is sitting before page 147it, the stranger can demand that he relinquish the position, for it is the stranger's post. The custom is ancient and must be complied with.