Other Customs

Cannibalism was quite unknown in Niuē, and the people always expressed the greatest horror of it. At the same time it is quite clear they were acquainted with the custom, as we shall learn (in Part IV.) later on in the story of Lau-foli. Nor did they tattoo themselves at all—so far as I can learn—which seems very strange, but here again they resembled the Morioris. In modern times many of the people are tattooed, but these are usually those who have visited other islands. I noticed on the back of the necks of one or two old men a zigzag line tattooed, which is characteristic of Rarotonga. Niuē people call tattooing ta-tatau.^* The Niuē salutation was the same as in other parts of Polynesia, by pressing noses, which they call figita, a word which appears to be local; they have the ordinary word hogi, but only use it for “smelling.”

Speech-making is a great feature of Niuē life, no occasion seems to be omitted for the exercise of this faculty. And it is clear that references are often made to their ancient history therein. Sometimes their speeches are accompanied by songs of ancient times, just as the Maoris use quotations from old songs to illustrate and emphasise their arguments. These old songs (lologo) are sung in the same monotonous minor key as those of the Maori; one person will lead off (uhu) and the others join in. Now-a-days the people are great singers, and have many airs that are used in their songs and hymns, and they take naturally first, second, third, and fourth parts. Their singing is often very nice, but too harsh. Their dances—so-called—named ta-mē, that I saw, are not unlike those of Rarotonga. At Tuapa when I first met the people, each of the five or six nearest villages furnished a contingent of dancers, both men and women. They were all nicely dressed and wore many flowers and wreaths, the bright yellow leaves of the kapihi fern being prominent. As each contingent came up page 59 they sat down cross-legged (fakatoga) in two rows facing one another, to the number of 20 or 30, and then one of them would start (uhu) a song improvised for the occasion, then all join in, with swaying of the bodies and arms, whilst one or two men, as fugle-men, occasionally danced round the others, encouraging them and joining in. When one company had finished another took its place and so on. One who is apt at composing songs for these occasions is called a koukou-mē. The songs sung at these dances are composed for the occasion and have reference to passing events. The following is a specimen, sung by the students and their families at Alofi, on my departure for New Zealand:–

E Misi Mete,
Ne nofo i Taranaki
Fakatagi tiogo mai,
Kilikili koki ki Niu Silani
Kua hake fakatangi ki Niuē
Fakatagi tiogo mai,
Kilikili koki ki Niuē
Kua hifo fakatagi ki Niu Silani
Fakatagi tiogo mai,

Fire was made originally by the rubbing of a pointed stick in the groove of another, exactly as all other Polynesians do it, the operation was called tolo-ati.