- description
- # CHAPTER XXIII. What Manner Of Men The Tapparians Were
## Overview
This is a chapter from the novel [Mardi: And a Voyage Thither](arke:01KG8AJ8ZNB03D0FWFP362WQEN) by Herman Melville. The chapter, titled "CHAPTER XXIII. What Manner Of Men The Tapparians Were," appears between lines 3037 and 3136 of the source file [mardi_vol2.txt](arke:01KG89J1954N2G0NAERBNJXEX9). It is part of the [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection.
## Context
The chapter is preceded by [CHAPTER XXII. Yoomy Sings Some Odd Verses, And Babbalanja Quotes From The Old Authors Right And Left](arke:01KG8AJQSZDW1CKST31K7C1ZCK) and followed by [CHAPTER XXIV.
Their Adventures Upon Landing At Pimminee](arke:01KG8AJQT1D2ESC8ARZG3BEHPB) in the novel's structure. The text was extracted by a structure-extraction-lambda function.
## Contents
This chapter introduces the Tapparians, also known as the "Men of Tappa," a group of individuals in Mardi who distinguish themselves through their attire and accumulation of teeth as ornaments. The narrative explains that only chiefs, warriors, and intellectuals are permitted to wear teeth as jewels. Those who accumulate teeth by other means, such as artisans, assert their status by carrying teeth in pouches or exchanging them for elaborate clothing. The chapter details how the Tapparians, seeking to further distinguish themselves, seceded from the general population and formed their own community on the island of Pimminee, establishing a strict code of laws governing even the smallest details of their lives, particularly their dress. The chapter is divided into two chunks: [Chunk 1](arke:01KG8AKNPZNM6VB7ANSPRHWW94) and [Chunk 2](arke:01KG8AKNPZGWGJY96ZNE422EYV).
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- CHAPTER XXIII. What Manner Of Men The Tapparians Were
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- CHAPTER XXIII. What Manner Of Men The Tapparians Were