Structure.—Volcanic.Population.—About two thousand.Physical Appearance.—Face broad and flat, nose flat, lips thick, hair crisp. Colour, between chesnut and olive. Height, average.—Lütke from Prichard.
Structure.—Volcanic.
Population.—About two thousand.
Physical Appearance.—Face broad and flat, nose flat, lips thick, hair crisp. Colour, between chesnut and olive. Height, average.—Lütke from Prichard.
The chief island of the Central Caroline group, or of the Caroline Islands in the more general sense of the term.
Structure.—Volcanic.Physical conformation of the natives.—Stature average, hair black, beardscanty, only in some cases thick, forehead narrow,eyes oblique, nose somewhat flattened, face broad, complexion clear yellow (citron), lightest in the case of the chiefs.—Lesson.
Structure.—Volcanic.
Physical conformation of the natives.—Stature average, hair black, beardscanty, only in some cases thick, forehead narrow,eyes oblique, nose somewhat flattened, face broad, complexion clear yellow (citron), lightest in the case of the chiefs.—Lesson.
As the succession of islands now becomes less regular, and as the interval of sea between Ualan and the Archipelagoes east of it is considerable, it is necessary to consider the lines of passage between the proper Carolines and the Ralik and Radak chains to the north-west. These are two.
1. From Pounipet to the Isles of Brown; with Providence Isles half-way between.
2. From Ualan to the Radak chain, or Mulgrave's Islands.
Synonym.—Marshall's Islands.
Synonym.—Marshall's Islands.
Synonym.—Mulgrave's Islands.
Synonym.—Mulgrave's Islands.
The Radack and Ralik people are dark.
The direction is now south, and south-west, to an Archipelago lying under the Equator.
General name.—The Tarawan group.Latitude.—North and south of the Equator.Longitude.—Nearly that of the Fiji islands.Population.—Perhaps sixty thousand. In Drummond's Island six thousand.Physical appearance.—Complexion dark copper. More Protonesian than Polynesian. Cheek-bones projecting, nose slightly aquiline. Average height five feet eight inches.
General name.—The Tarawan group.
Latitude.—North and south of the Equator.
Longitude.—Nearly that of the Fiji islands.
Population.—Perhaps sixty thousand. In Drummond's Island six thousand.
Physical appearance.—Complexion dark copper. More Protonesian than Polynesian. Cheek-bones projecting, nose slightly aquiline. Average height five feet eight inches.
In Pitt Island, the most northern of the group, the natives are lighter in colour than the other islanders, taller, stronger, and better-limbed; with smooth bodies, oval faces, and regular and delicate features.
Area.—The Navigators, Society, Friendly, and other groups of the Pacific. The Marquesas; the Dangerous Archipelago; Easter Island; the Sandwich Isles; New Zealand, &c. With the exception of the Sandwich Isles and New Zealand, south and east of Micronesia. Nearer to Kelænonesia than to any part of Protonesia.Physical conformation.—Maximum and, perhaps, average stature higher than in Micronesia. Aquiline nose commoner. Varieties both of hair and complexion. The former wavy and curled as well as straight; sometimes chestnut-coloured. Skin, often fairest in the parts nearest the Equator; becoming darker as the distance increases. Oftener, also, darker in the coralline than in the volcanic islands.Face oval. Ears generally large.Zygomatic development moderate. Occipito-frontal profiles truncated behind, elevated at the vertex.Nostrils generally spreading.Language.—Dialects mutually intelligible; probably unintelligible to the Micronesians.Political relations.—Wholly independent, colonized, or protected.Religion.—Paganism, Romanism, Protestantism, Imperfect Christianity.European intermixture.—Chiefly English, American, and French.Habits.—The superstition of thetabu; the use ofkavaas a drink. See the notice of Micronesia. Cannibalism, tattooing, circumcision, more or less, common.
Area.—The Navigators, Society, Friendly, and other groups of the Pacific. The Marquesas; the Dangerous Archipelago; Easter Island; the Sandwich Isles; New Zealand, &c. With the exception of the Sandwich Isles and New Zealand, south and east of Micronesia. Nearer to Kelænonesia than to any part of Protonesia.
Physical conformation.—Maximum and, perhaps, average stature higher than in Micronesia. Aquiline nose commoner. Varieties both of hair and complexion. The former wavy and curled as well as straight; sometimes chestnut-coloured. Skin, often fairest in the parts nearest the Equator; becoming darker as the distance increases. Oftener, also, darker in the coralline than in the volcanic islands.
Face oval. Ears generally large.
Zygomatic development moderate. Occipito-frontal profiles truncated behind, elevated at the vertex.
Nostrils generally spreading.
Language.—Dialects mutually intelligible; probably unintelligible to the Micronesians.
Political relations.—Wholly independent, colonized, or protected.
Religion.—Paganism, Romanism, Protestantism, Imperfect Christianity.
European intermixture.—Chiefly English, American, and French.
Habits.—The superstition of thetabu; the use ofkavaas a drink. See the notice of Micronesia. Cannibalism, tattooing, circumcision, more or less, common.
With the view of saving repetition, a notice of the Polynesian mythology will precede the enumeration of the islands; for each and all of these the creed being, in its general principles, as truly one and the same as is the language, the same divinities appearing with the same functions and under similar, or but slightly-changed, denominations. Hence, sometimes the difference between two Pantheons is merely verbal. Generally, however, it is real. Even then, however, we find no new element; but one of two things. Either the same story appears in a varied form; or else some portion of the mythology which is but slightly prominent in one group of islands, takes unusual importance in another; the fundamental identity of character being manifest throughout.
Of the common elements of the general Polynesian creedthe following are the most important; those which are most special, and least general or abstract, being taken first in order.
The supernatural spirits that interfere directly with human concerns.—Mischievous beings, imps or goblins, that play so prominent a part in the superstitions of all countries, play a prominent part in those of Polynesia. These may appear under any out of a multiplicity of forms. There may be the spirit protective to a certain family; the spirit protective to a certain pursuit; the god of the sailor, the fisherman, or the tiller of the soil. Good they may do and mischief they may do—either in a material or an immaterial form, in their own shape or in the shape of sharks, lizards, storks, snipes, or any other dumb animal. From a belief of this kind to the superstition of omens is but a single step, so that rats that squeak, and comets that show their beards, and noses that sneeze, and birds that fly the wrong way, all become the expositors from Powers beyond those of mortality. Then the rock, and glen, and above all the volcano and earthquake, become palpable objects to be connected with a presiding divinity.
To these and to the like of these all the islanders look. Some look beyond them.
Múoi(Mawi) is more man than God; the supporter, or rather the support, of the earth. This lies on the gigantic extension of his body; and earthquakes result from its movements. Where he is either more or less than the comparatively passive substructure of all things material, he is a wise wizard who foretells events; or else the maker rather than foundation-stone of the world. Just as Tangaloa did in the other parts of Polynesia, Mawi did in New Zealand. What this was will be soon seen.
The Cosmogony.—The Polynesian world—how muchbeyond it is uncertain—was fished up from sea by Tangaloa; Tahiti was the first part that appeared. Just as its rocks showed above water, the line broke. However, the rock in which the hook stuck can still be seen in the island of Hoonga; and the family of Tuitonga, until very lately, were in possession of the hook. There was enough land, however, to be worth filling with human beings and human food. And this was done by Tangaloa.[64]
Such is the Tonga account. In New Zealand, as already stated, the artificer is changed; and Mawi does the work of Tangaloa. In Tahiti, and Samoa, the workman is the same, but the work different. The Tahitian Tangaloa formed the ocean from the sweat of his brow—so hard did he work in making the land. The Samoan sent down his daughter Tali, in the shape of a snipe, to survey the world below. As she saw nothing but sea, her father rolled down a stone which became one island, and another which became a second, and so on. The first growth of such islands were wild vines. These were pulled out of the ground, and heaped up to rot, so that worms were produced. Out of these worms grew men and women.
The Happy Island.—In an island like their own, only more beautiful, live the higher gods, and the souls of chiefs, kings, and councillors. In Tonga this island is Bolotoo. It was once visited; but those who visited it died, having breathed its air.
The residents and visitors of the Happy Island.—First amongst these are the gods themselves and their servants; not, however, Mawi—
The souls of the chiefs after death—
The souls of the councillors after death—
Caste-system.—The list of the inhabitants of Bolotoo stops at a certain line of nobility. The people are the servants of the chiefs, and the servants of the chiefs have no share of enjoyment after death.
At this point, the mythology and the social constitution of the Polynesians act and react upon each other. Those who have no political rights in life, have no existence after death (orvice versâ); and the result is a system half caste, and half feudalism.
Whether the king or priest be paramount, depends upon their respective individual characters. There is room for the subtle brain as well as for the strong hand. So it is, as between king and chief. The vassalage is perfect or imperfect according to the strength of the parties. Whatever, however, may be the relative position of the king, the priest, or the chiefs, the people are sure of their thraldom; a thraldom to theirimmediatesuperior, the chief.
Add to these elements of social subordination and insubordination, the existence of tribes and the influence of descent. A family may be descended from some god that took an earthly island for his residence. This will give it a precedence even over the kings.
From the feeling of pedigree, and from the belief that the nobler families become spirits after death, we have the belief in ghosts, and the reverence for the dead. Whoever studies the details of the Polynesian creeds and traditions will find abundant instances of this; and in such detail they should be studied. To exhibit them (as has just been attempted) in ageneralpoint of view, can only be done by applying terms adapted to a different system, and, as such, only partially appropriate. It can only be done at the sacrifice of those special elements which give life and individuality to a description. Such, however, as it is, theprevious sketch is the only one that could be admitted into a work like the present.
Beginning with the fourteenth degree S. L., the distribution of the Polynesian islands runs off in three different directions.
1. From west to east;i.e.from the Navigators' Islands to Easter Island.
2. North-east; to the Sandwich Islands in 20° N. L.
3. South-west; to New Zealand in 35° S. L.
Synonym.—Archipelago of Samoa.Islands.—Opoun, Leone, Sanfoue, Maouna, Oiolava, Pola.Complexion.—Dark bronze.Numbers.—According to Captain Wilkes, 56,000: of which 14,850 are Christians. Majority of the remainder attending the missionary schools.Pantheon.—Tangaloa-lagi, Tamafaiga, Sinleo, Onafanna, Mafuie, Salefu, Merua Fuana, Tinitini, Lamanau, Tuli, &c.Real or supposed peculiarities.—Use of the bow; which is used also in De Peyster's island. Rare elsewhere.
Synonym.—Archipelago of Samoa.
Islands.—Opoun, Leone, Sanfoue, Maouna, Oiolava, Pola.
Complexion.—Dark bronze.
Numbers.—According to Captain Wilkes, 56,000: of which 14,850 are Christians. Majority of the remainder attending the missionary schools.
Pantheon.—Tangaloa-lagi, Tamafaiga, Sinleo, Onafanna, Mafuie, Salefu, Merua Fuana, Tinitini, Lamanau, Tuli, &c.
Real or supposed peculiarities.—Use of the bow; which is used also in De Peyster's island. Rare elsewhere.
Synonym.—The Hapai Islands; the Friendly Islands.ISLANDS.POPULATION.Eooa200Hapai4,000Vavao4,000Keppell's Islan1,000Boscawen's Islan1,300Tonga-tabú8,000Total18,500Said to be on the increase. Number of Christians, about 4,500.Pantheon.—Múoi.—The Hotooas, Táli-y-tobú, Higooléo, Tooboo-toti, Alaivaloo, Ali-ali, Tangaloa—Tangaloa's sons, Toobó, and Váca-ácow-ooli, &c. Bolotoo=the Happy Island.Term forthe Tongachiefs—Egi.""councillors—Mataboulai.""king—How.""lower classes—Mooa.""lowest—Tooa.Real or supposed peculiarities.—Infant sacrifices; the cutting off of a finger on the death of relatives; domestic architecture on a scale approaching that of Borneo. Remains of stone architecture; probably the tombs of the chiefs.
Synonym.—The Hapai Islands; the Friendly Islands.
Said to be on the increase. Number of Christians, about 4,500.
Pantheon.—Múoi.—The Hotooas, Táli-y-tobú, Higooléo, Tooboo-toti, Alaivaloo, Ali-ali, Tangaloa—Tangaloa's sons, Toobó, and Váca-ácow-ooli, &c. Bolotoo=the Happy Island.
Real or supposed peculiarities.—Infant sacrifices; the cutting off of a finger on the death of relatives; domestic architecture on a scale approaching that of Borneo. Remains of stone architecture; probably the tombs of the chiefs.
Names.—Rarotonga, Atiu; Mangaia, Aitutaki, Mauke, Mitiaro, Manuai.Population.—About fourteen thousand; of which one-half belongs to Rarotonga.
Names.—Rarotonga, Atiu; Mangaia, Aitutaki, Mauke, Mitiaro, Manuai.
Population.—About fourteen thousand; of which one-half belongs to Rarotonga.
Names.—Rimatara, Rurutu, Tupuai, Raivavai.Population.—About one thousand. Decreasing.
Names.—Rimatara, Rurutu, Tupuai, Raivavai.
Population.—About one thousand. Decreasing.
Locality.—South of any island yet named, and isolated.
Locality.—South of any island yet named, and isolated.
Synonym.—The Society Islands.Islands.—Ulietea, Otahá, Bolabola, Huaheine, Tabai, Maurua.Pantheon.—The Tii Maaraauta=the spirit reaching toward the land. The Tii Maaraatai=the spirit reaching toward the sea. Eatooa=gods in general. Tii Hina, Taaroa (= Tangaloa). Maui Raiatea (the analogue of Bolotoo).Terms forthe Tahitichiefs—Eree, or Tiara.""councillors—Manahounis.""lower classes—Toutous.
Synonym.—The Society Islands.
Islands.—Ulietea, Otahá, Bolabola, Huaheine, Tabai, Maurua.
Pantheon.—The Tii Maaraauta=the spirit reaching toward the land. The Tii Maaraatai=the spirit reaching toward the sea. Eatooa=gods in general. Tii Hina, Taaroa (= Tangaloa). Maui Raiatea (the analogue of Bolotoo).
Meaning.—Cloud of islands.Synonym.—The Low Islands. Dangerous Archipelago.Structure.—Generally coralline.
Meaning.—Cloud of islands.
Synonym.—The Low Islands. Dangerous Archipelago.
Structure.—Generally coralline.
Particular islands and groups—
Locality.—S. L. 15° 40´ W. L. 146° 30´ The most savage of all the islands of the Archipelago, and the one that has most rarely been visited with impunity.
Locality.—S. L. 15° 40´ W. L. 146° 30´ The most savage of all the islands of the Archipelago, and the one that has most rarely been visited with impunity.
Locality.—S. L. 17° 30´ W. L. 45° 30´ Described as being like Aura, to Captain Fitzroy, by Mr. Middleton, who had passed some time on the island. Cannibals. Conquerors of the rest of the Archipelago, except Aura. The first ship they had manned by a black crew.
Locality.—S. L. 17° 30´ W. L. 45° 30´ Described as being like Aura, to Captain Fitzroy, by Mr. Middleton, who had passed some time on the island. Cannibals. Conquerors of the rest of the Archipelago, except Aura. The first ship they had manned by a black crew.
Names.—Mangareva, Akena, Akamaru, Tarawari, &c.Structure.—Volcanic.Population.—About two thousand.
Names.—Mangareva, Akena, Akamaru, Tarawari, &c.
Structure.—Volcanic.
Population.—About two thousand.
Locality.—South of the Gambier group.
Locality.—South of the Gambier group.
Locality.—West of the Gambier group.
Locality.—West of the Gambier group.
There is a great difference in physical conformation between the inhabitants of different members of the Paumotu group. Some are well-made, nearly on a level with the measurements of European, and with a "fine Asiatic countenance, with beards and mustaches, but no whiskers—men who might pass for Moors."[65]Others approach the character of the Negroes.
We know now the doctrine that this difference will engender; and we know the exception that it will call for. More than one writer have seen in Paumotu islanders specimens of a second race. More than one have seen only the same race under different conditions.
Now, Captain Beechey has found that this difference in the inhabitants coincides with the difference of the islands. The well-grown tribes of the Polynesian type are the tribes of the volcanic Islands, Pitcairn's and the Gambier group. The blacker variety is found on the low islands.
Synonym.—Teape.Locality.—The most eastern island of Polynesia. Solitary.
Synonym.—Teape.
Locality.—The most eastern island of Polynesia. Solitary.
In Easter Island there stood in the year 1722, and there stand now, statues of colossal proportions, sometimes on the level ground, sometimes on platforms of hewn stone, representing (or misrepresenting) the upper half of the human figure, with enormous ears, shapen out of lavas, some soft, and some too hard for any tool known to the present natives, objects of wonder to them, but not objects of worship.
That they are not objects of worship is inferred from the extent to which they are neglected. When fallen, orbroken they are not repaired; neither are they connected with the burial-places.
These seem to have an existence in another form, in that of cylindrical heaps of stone; the meaning of which a native explained to M. de Langle by laying himself down on the ground, and then lifting his hands towards the sky.
The mystery of these statues is increased by a remark of Captain Beechey's. He had seen the like of them elsewhere; but he had seen them on uninhabited islands.
The eastern extremity of the Paumotu Archipelago points towards Easter Island; the northern line is the nearest point to—
Names.—Hivaoa, Tahuata, Fatuhiva, Easter=the south-eastern group. Nukahiva, Uahuka, Uapou=the north-western.Population.—Perhaps two thousand.
Names.—Hivaoa, Tahuata, Fatuhiva, Easter=the south-eastern group. Nukahiva, Uahuka, Uapou=the north-western.
Population.—Perhaps two thousand.
The natives of the Marquesas are considered as the handsomest men of Polynesia.
The natives of the Marquesas are most at war with one another of all the Polynesians. Their chief island is intersected by a mountain-ridge; and the mountain-ridge (like most mountain-ridges) supplies a fierce body of quarrellers.
The natives of the Marquesas speak a greater variety of dialects (or sub-dialects) than the natives of any other group. This has engendered the doctrine that they were colonized from more quarters than one.
Distant though it be the Nukahiva group is the nearest point to—
Names of islands according to the dialect or orthography followed by Prichard.—Hawaii, Maui, Tahaurawe, Morokini, Ranai, Morokai, Oahu, Tauai, Niihau, Taura.Names of the islands according to the dialect or orthography followed bySimpson.—Hawaii, Mowee, Kakoolawe, Lanai, Molokoi, Woahoo, Kanai, Niihau.Structure.—Volcanic.Physical appearance of the natives.—Height above the average. Mouth square and heavy.Extract from M. Chloris: "Les enfans, en venant au monde, sont complêtement noirs; la jeune fille la plus jolie, et la plus delicate, qui s'expose le moins à l'action de l'air et du soleil, est noire; celles qui sont obligées de travailler constamment à l'ardeur du soleil, sont presque de couleur orangée." This orange tint is noticed by Mr. Simpson, who describes the Hawaiians as intermediate to the black Negro and the Red American—more, however, red than black.
Names of islands according to the dialect or orthography followed by Prichard.—Hawaii, Maui, Tahaurawe, Morokini, Ranai, Morokai, Oahu, Tauai, Niihau, Taura.
Names of the islands according to the dialect or orthography followed bySimpson.—Hawaii, Mowee, Kakoolawe, Lanai, Molokoi, Woahoo, Kanai, Niihau.
Structure.—Volcanic.
Physical appearance of the natives.—Height above the average. Mouth square and heavy.
Extract from M. Chloris: "Les enfans, en venant au monde, sont complêtement noirs; la jeune fille la plus jolie, et la plus delicate, qui s'expose le moins à l'action de l'air et du soleil, est noire; celles qui sont obligées de travailler constamment à l'ardeur du soleil, sont presque de couleur orangée." This orange tint is noticed by Mr. Simpson, who describes the Hawaiians as intermediate to the black Negro and the Red American—more, however, red than black.
The majority of the Polynesian islands present the phenomenon of an imperfect and recent civilization engrafted upon a state of comparative barbarism; and none more than the Hawaiian group. No area is, at once, so European and so Polynesian. Neither in any area are the influences more mixed. The population is mixed also. White and half-breeds constitute a large and increasing proportion of the population; the white being from England, from America, and from France.
This is the way in which the admixture of foreign blood takes place within the island itself. But it is not the only way. The Sandwich Islanders are themselves emigrants, and they are found upon the opposite coast of America; thus giving admixture to the Californian and Oregon Indians. They do the same in South America on the coast of Peru and Ecuador.
It is this determination of the Sandwich Islands to America, that gives us the phænomenon of the American and Oceanic admixture—a new and imperfectly studied form of union.
This dispersion of the Sandwich Islanders tells a story on more matters than one. It speaks to their enterprize, maritime capacity, and value as industrial assistants. This is what they are at home, and this is what they are abroad.
Since the discovery of the Sandwich Islands by Cook, the three great influences that have been at work, are—
1. At the accession of Kamehamehu, as now, the system of caste that determines the social state of New Zealand, Tahiti, and other parts of Polynesia, regulated that of the Sandwich group. The chiefs, however, held but nominally under the sovereign. Each in his own island, was practically an independent ruler. The wars of Kamehamehu coerced the chiefs of the smaller islands, and left him the sovereign of a consolidated empire. This he administered in the spirit of a Pagan, and a conqueror. Of the god of the volcano and earthquake that had helped him to his early victories, he lived and died the constant worshipper and support.
By the further favour of the same, he hoped to reduce the Tahitian group; an idea that raises his assemblage of canoes to the dignity of a fleet. At any rate, the force for land, and the force for sea underwent an incipient organization in the reign of Kamehamehu.
Then again, he was not only a great merchant, but the only great merchant in his dominions. The chief export was the sandal-wood, which, bearing a high price in the China market, and growing chiefly on the more inaccessible mountains, could only be collected at the expense of grinding labour, and fatal suffering as the portion of the helot population. This decimated the islands as much, or even more, than his wars.
At the death of Kamehamehu a weak tyranny succeeded a strong one. The monopoly of the sandal-wood was divided between the chiefs; and the multitude of mastersincreased the amount of suffering. I am writing from what I find in Sir G. Simpson, and add that the extremes of bloodshed and oppression brought with them their own remedy. The coercion was too successful to leave an enemy to fight against; and the sandal-wood became too nearly exhausted to command its previous price of life and labour.
In 1819, the great father of his dynasty died; and his idols died with him. Pagan as he was himself, his nation had outgrown Paganism; and there was atabula rasafor any better creed.
2. With the reign of Liho-Liho began the influence of the missionaries—American, English, and French; the American and English with their respective forms of Protestantism, the French with Romanism. I have no inclination to meddle with the distasteful details of these mischievous contests. The ethnological result is the triple character of the influence now in operation. In politics, Hawaii is independent; independent and semi-constitutional; with its independence guaranteed by England, America, and France. In religion it is Protestant—with Romanism tolerated and something more; tolerated and making way amongst the people.
3. The improvement of the agriculture of the Sandwich Islands is going on steadily. Silk and sugar are beginning to be grown; and a healthier trade is replacing the sandal-wood monopolies.
I have admitted the previous notice of the character of Hawaiian civilization for the sake of comparing it with the present state and actual prospects of the islands. Cook, when he visited them, put the population at four hundred thousand—an exaggeration. Perhaps it came to half as much. In 1832 and 1836, there were censuses; of which the result was as follows:—
POPULATION.
This gives us a reduction; a reduction which has increased by 1840. This, I suppose, is the one from which Prichard takes his numbers, for two of the islands—
Emigration will not account for this decrease. This we may see at once, from the proportion in 1840—the figures and reasoning are Sir G. Simpson's—in the single island of Kanai, between that part of the population which was under, and that part which was above, eighteen years of age.
"Here," Sir G. Simpson continues, "is an average of one person under eighteen, to rather more than three persons above it—a state of things which would carry depopulation written on its very face, unless every creature, without exception, were to attain the good old age of seventy-five." To this we add a remark upon the bearing of the early period of marriages throughout Polynesia. Notone—buttwo—generations are included in thepopulation under eighteen years; since before that time boys and girls have begun to have boys and girls of their own.
This disproportion accounts for the decrease. But what accounts for the disproportion?
In 1824, Mr. Stuart wrote that—"in those parts of the islands where the influence of the mission had not extended, two-thirds of the infants born perish by the hands of their own parents before attaining the first or second year of their age."
In 1840, there were found in Kanai out of 5,541 adults, only sixty-eight, and sixty-five women who had more than two children each, and that with a bounty, in the shape of an exemption from certain taxes, upon a number to that amount; whilst in Woahoo the births were sixty-one, the deaths one hundred and thirty-two.
Distant though it be, the Tahitian group is the nearest point to—
Native name of northern island.—Ikana, Mawi.Native name of southern island.—Tavai, Punamu.Native name of the language.—Maori.
Native name of northern island.—Ikana, Mawi.
Native name of southern island.—Tavai, Punamu.
Native name of the language.—Maori.
Locality.—Twelve degrees east of New Zealand.Appearance of the natives.—Colour dark; so much so as to be called by the New Zealanders,Blafello=Black-fellow, a term adopted from the English.
Locality.—Twelve degrees east of New Zealand.
Appearance of the natives.—Colour dark; so much so as to be called by the New Zealanders,Blafello=Black-fellow, a term adopted from the English.
Such are the larger islands and archipelagoes of Polynesia. To these must be added the following smaller groups.
Locality.—Five degrees due north of the Navigators' Islands.Names.—1. Bowditch Isle, or Fakaafo. 2. Duke of York's Island, or Oatafu. 3. Duke of Clarence's Island, or Nukunono.Population.—About one thousand.Structure.—Coralline.Language.—Intelligible to the Samoans.Food.—Coco-nuts, pandanus-nuts, fish.
Locality.—Five degrees due north of the Navigators' Islands.
Names.—1. Bowditch Isle, or Fakaafo. 2. Duke of York's Island, or Oatafu. 3. Duke of Clarence's Island, or Nukunono.
Population.—About one thousand.
Structure.—Coralline.
Language.—Intelligible to the Samoans.
Food.—Coco-nuts, pandanus-nuts, fish.
Although so near the Equator, the Fakaafo people are the fairest of the Polynesians.
Name.—1. De Peyster I., or Nukufetau.2. Tracy's I., or Vaitupu.3. Ellice's I., or Funafati.Language.—Intelligible to the Samoans.Real or supposed peculiarity.—The bow used in De Peyster's Island. Except in the Navigators' Isles; rare elsewhere.
Language.—Intelligible to the Samoans.
Real or supposed peculiarity.—The bow used in De Peyster's Island. Except in the Navigators' Isles; rare elsewhere.
These islands have importance as connecting Northern Polynesia with Southern Micronesia. The people are dark-coloured and bearded.
Locality.—Midway between the Marquesas and Union Isles. Inhabitants numerous as compared with the size of the island.
Locality.—Midway between the Marquesas and Union Isles. Inhabitants numerous as compared with the size of the island.
Synonym.—Granville Island.Locality.—Lat. 12° 30´ N. Long. 177° 15´ E. Three hundred miles from any other land.
Synonym.—Granville Island.
Locality.—Lat. 12° 30´ N. Long. 177° 15´ E. Three hundred miles from any other land.
Locality.—North of the Friendly Islands. Lat. 15° 50´ S. Long. 174° W.i.e., between the Tonga and Samoan groups.
Locality.—North of the Friendly Islands. Lat. 15° 50´ S. Long. 174° W.i.e., between the Tonga and Samoan groups.
Locality.—Between Rotuma and the Samoan Archipelago.
Locality.—Between Rotuma and the Samoan Archipelago.
Locality.—Four degrees east of the Friendly group;i.e., between the Tonga Isles and the Hervey and Austral groups.
Locality.—Four degrees east of the Friendly group;i.e., between the Tonga Isles and the Hervey and Austral groups.
Locality.—-Lat. 12° 30´ S. Long. 169° E.Population.—About five hundred.
Locality.—-Lat. 12° 30´ S. Long. 169° E.
Population.—About five hundred.
In Tikopia the locality is nearly Kelænonesian; whilst the physiognomy and language are Amphinesian; and of the two Amphinesian branches, most probably Polynesian.
On the other hand, they use the bow and arrow, andraise cicatrices by burning—both of which habits are Kelænonesian.
Synonym.—Erronan. A few miles east from Tanna, a Kelænonesian Island.
Synonym.—Erronan. A few miles east from Tanna, a Kelænonesian Island.
Synonym.—Muia.Ditto.
Synonym.—Muia.Ditto.
The locality creates the interest for these two islets. They are not only isolated from the other parts of Polynesia, but are portions of another geographical area.
Locality.—Fifty minutes north of line, to the west (or north-west) of New Guinea.Natives.—Copper-coloured, with long black hair.—Carteret from Prichard.
Locality.—Fifty minutes north of line, to the west (or north-west) of New Guinea.
Natives.—Copper-coloured, with long black hair.—Carteret from Prichard.
The natives of Free-will Island require further description. It is nearly certain that they areAmphinesian—but whether Protonesian or Micronesian is uncertain. Laying aside, for the present, Madagascar, and the Fiji Islands, we shall find that the more important questions connected with the ethnology of Polynesia are as follows—
1. The affinities with Protonesia.
2. The differences between Polynesia Proper and Micronesia.
3. The extent to which one of these last-named divisions is more Protonesian than the other.
4. The details of the dispersion within the limits of a single division; Micronesia or Polynesia, as the case may be.
5. Thegeneraldispersion and distribution.
6. The inferences arising from the existence of the darker coloured, and more Negrito-like population.
7. The date of the Polynesian dispersion.
1.The affinities with Protonesia.—Much has to be done in this department; especially in regard to the indicationof similar habits and customs; and in respect to the explanation of undoubted and important points of difference. Indeed, at the present moment, the proof of the Protonesian affinities with Polynesia is almost wholly philological. Still, of its kind, it is satisfactory and scientific. That isolated Malay words were to be found far beyond the proper Malay area was known as early as the time of Reland. By Marsden, Crawfurd, and others, the list was enlarged. The evidence, however, that the grammatical structure of the South-Sea languages was equally Protonesian with the vocabularies, forms the most valuable part of a late publication—the posthumous dissertation of W. Von Humboldt on the Kawi language of Java. In this the Tagala of the Philippines is taken as the sample of a Protonesian grammar in its most elaborate and complex form; a starting-point which explains the structure of the Polynesian and Malagasi tongues in a manner far beyond any amount of elucidation that could have been drawn from the comparatively simple structure of the proper Malayan.
For all questions of this sort the great work just named is the thesaurus and repository. It is also the thesaurus and repository for all facts connected with the history of the Hindu influences on Protonesia.
The other ethnological phænomena,notphilological, that naturally belong to this part of the subject, will be noticed under the third head.
2.The differences between Polynesia and Micronesia.—Some of these have been noticed. None, however, have been of equal importance with the difference of language. The exact appreciation of their import is difficult.
The fact of the bow and arrow being either not used at all, or used but little (according to the American explorersin theirgames, but not in theirwars), must be taken asrelative, rather than as a simplenegative, fact.
a.It is used in Kelænonesia.
b.The parts of Polynesia where it is used (Samoa, De Peyster's Islands, and Tikopia) are the parts nearest to Kelænonesia.
The absence of the tabu in Micronesia is, probably, less of an unqualified fact than it seems to be. In the Proper Polynesian form, and with the Polynesian name, it has probably no existence. In more than one Micronesian island, however, certain objects are held sacred, certain objects are generally prohibited, and certain objects are prohibited under certain conditions.
The Polynesian custom of drinking kava not Micronesian.—What applies to the tabu applies here. Kava, under the name ofkava, and prepared, as in Polynesia, from the fermentation of therootof thepiper methusticon, is not drunk in Micronesia.Shiaka, however, is a beverage at Ualan (and probably elsewhere); andshiakais a fermentation of the leaves of thepiper methusticon.
Thedifferentiæ, then, between Polynesia Proper and Micronesia are subject to criticism; so much so that instead of saying that a Polynesian custom is wanting in Micronesia (orvice versâ), we should rather say that the Polynesian habit takes a modified form. Above all, the criticism applicable to allnegativestatements is preeminently applicable here.
Facts of the same sort with thekava, andtabuobservations, are to be found in other matters,e.g.the Micronesian sails by the stars, the Polynesian by the flight of birds. The Micronesian canoe is an amphisbæna,i.e.it can be paddled either way, and it is generally simple. The Polynesian, on the other hand, is often double, andalmost always an outrigger: so much so that the appearance of Cook's vessels, on the discovery of Tahiti, was hailed by the natives as a fulfilment of one of the prophecies of Mawi; which was to this effect:—That a canoe such as never had been seen by any native before—a canoe without out-riggers, should at some future time visit the island. Now so impossible a thing was a canoe without out-riggers in the eyes of the Tahitians, that the prophecy was laughed to scorn. So in order to gain credence, Mawi launched his wooden dish upon the waters, which swam as he said the strange canoe should swim. Afterwards, when Cook sailed towards the islands, his ship was held to be the prophesied canoe; and at the present moment English vessels have been calledMawi's canoes.
The sum, perhaps, of all the distinctions of the sort already indicated, will give between Polynesia and Micronesia, the difference between a Dutchman and an Englishman; certainly not less—probably more. Probably more, because the very considerable difference in the details of the two mythologies has yet to be added. A brief notice of these may be found in Prichard's chapter on the Marianne Islanders; and this reference is all that our space allows. That the difference, however, of the superstitions isnot less(probablygreater) than the difference between the languages is a safe conclusion.
The differences in the general moral character of the two divisions lie within a small compass. Coldness of manner in general, less tendency to bloody warfare, less laxity amongst the female part of the population, and less cannibalism, are points wherein the Micronesian character has the advantage. The Micronesian domestic arts also, such as dyeing and weaving, are in advance of the Polynesians.
3.Distribution of Protonesian characteristics.—Whichof the two divisions has the most of these? This is partially answered by some of the observations which have just preceded: two other facts answer it more fully.
a.The opinions of MM. Durville and Lesson, as to the connexion of the Micronesians with the Mongolians—without being evidence in favour of the Micronesian branch being the moreProtonesian, of the two, this is, certainly, a fact in favour of its being the morecontinental.
b.The opinion of Le Gobien, one of the early Missionaries, "that the Caroline Islanders came from the Philippines."
4.Details of the distribution within the limits of a single division.—The question as to the particular part of Micronesia, or the particular part of Polynesia, from which the rest of the respective areas was peopled, is so much a part and parcel of the broader question as to the origin of the populationen masse, that it belongs, in its entirety, to a latter stage of our inquiries. Still there are a few facts which may be noticed at once; and these apply to Polynesia Proper.
Assuming as a postulate, that the direction of the line of population is from east to west (orvice versâ), from north to south (orvice versâ), &c., it is reasonable to suppose that each isle has been peopled from the one nearest to it, and thatexclusively. Hence no second source of population is to be assumedgratuitously. Upon reasonable grounds, however, itmaybe assumed;e.g.in the Marquesas, it is said, that the difference of dialects for the different islands is scarcely consistent with a population from the Paumoto group exclusively. So also, in the Sandwich Islands, although Nukahiva is theprimâ faciesource of the population, Tonga elements occur in a degree beyond that in which they are found in Nukahiva itself. Here, also, the inference of a second element is legitimate.
Missionaries and ethnologists, who have applied a sagacious criticism to the problem of theimmediatepopulation of Polynesia, have found good reasons for believing that thefirst archipelago of Polynesia Properthat received a population from some other quarter, and which transmitted it, in different streams elsewhere, was theSamoanorNavigators'Islands. This opinion, the grounds of which may be found in full in the ethnological portion of the United States Exploring Expedition, is, probably, the right one; at any rate it is the proper inference, from the facts known to the investigators.
The last three questions will be better considered after the notice of theOceanic Negritos of the Kelænonesian area.
The consideration of the Malegasi Amphinesians is deferred until we treat upon the ethnology of Africa.
The consideration of the Malegasi Amphinesians is deferred until we treat upon the ethnology of Africa.
Physical conformation.—Modified Amphinesian Negrito. Skin rough and harsh, black rather than brown or olive. Hair crisp, curly, frizzy, and woolly(?) rather than straight; black. Stature from five feet, or under, to six(?).Languages.—Not generally admitted to contain a certain proportion of Malay words—but really containing it.Distribution.—Wholly insular; islands often large.Area.—New Guinea, New Ireland, Solomon's Isles, Louisiade, New Hebrides, New Caledonia, Australia, Tasmania.Aliment.—Mammalian fauna considerable. In parts, deficient in ruminants and pachydermata.Religion.—Paganism.Social and physical development.—Maritime habits rare and partial. Industrial arts limited. Foreign influences of all sorts inconsiderable.Divisions.—1. The Papua Branch. 2. The Australian Branch. 3. The Tasmanian Branch(?).
Physical conformation.—Modified Amphinesian Negrito. Skin rough and harsh, black rather than brown or olive. Hair crisp, curly, frizzy, and woolly(?) rather than straight; black. Stature from five feet, or under, to six(?).
Languages.—Not generally admitted to contain a certain proportion of Malay words—but really containing it.
Distribution.—Wholly insular; islands often large.
Area.—New Guinea, New Ireland, Solomon's Isles, Louisiade, New Hebrides, New Caledonia, Australia, Tasmania.
Aliment.—Mammalian fauna considerable. In parts, deficient in ruminants and pachydermata.
Religion.—Paganism.
Social and physical development.—Maritime habits rare and partial. Industrial arts limited. Foreign influences of all sorts inconsiderable.
Divisions.—1. The Papua Branch. 2. The Australian Branch. 3. The Tasmanian Branch(?).
The first question which may present itself to the reader is one as to the difference between the tribes that are now about to be described as Kelænonesian, and those which have already been described asBlacks of the Malay area. Both are really Negrito; and it has already been stated that both may be called so. The answer is—thatNegritois an ethnological,Kelænonesian, a geographical term. The first denotes black, or Black-like oceanic tribeswherever found; the latter black or Black-like tribes when found in definite areas, wherein they form the bulk of the population. Thus, in Amphinesia the Negrito is exceptional, in Kelænonesia normal, andvice versâ.