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- 6590
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T20:48:15.152Z
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- start_line
- 6542
- text
- like an ungainly rider’s; and his ponderous legs were jammed so hard
into his slim, nether garments that the threads of every seam showed;
and, at every step, you looked for a catastrophe.
In general, there seems to be no settled style of dressing among the
males; they wear anything they can get; in some cases, awkwardly
modifying the fashions of their fathers so as to accord with their own
altered views of what is becoming.
But ridiculous as many of them now appear, in foreign habiliments, the
Tahitians presented a far different appearance in the original national
costume; which was graceful in the extreme, modest to all but the
prudish, and peculiarly adapted to the climate. But the short kilts of
dyed tappa, the tasselled maroes, and other articles formerly worn,
are, at the present day, prohibited by law as indecorous. For what
reason necklaces and garlands of flowers, among the women, are also
forbidden, I never could learn; but, it is said, that they were
associated, in some way, with a forgotten heathen observance.
Many pleasant, and, seemingly, innocent sports and pastimes, are
likewise interdicted. In old times, there were several athletic games
practised, such as wrestling, foot-racing, throwing the javelin, and
archery. In all these they greatly excelled; and, for some, splendid
festivals were instituted. Among their everyday amusements were
dancing, tossing the football, kite-flying, flute-playing, and singing
traditional ballads; now, all punishable offences; though most of them
have been so long in disuse that they are nearly forgotten.
In the same way, the “Opio,” or festive harvest-home of the breadfruit,
has been suppressed; though, as described to me by Captain Bob, it
seemed wholly free from any immoral tendency. Against tattooing, of any
kind, there is a severe law.
That this abolition of their national amusements and customs was not
willingly acquiesced in, is shown in the frequent violation of many of
the statutes inhibiting them; and, especially, in the frequency with
which their “hevars,” or dances, are practised in secret.
Doubtless, in thus denationalizing the Tahitians, as it were, the
missionaries were prompted by a sincere desire for good; but the effect
has been lamentable. Supplied with no amusements in place of those
forbidden, the Tahitians, who require more recreation than other
people, have sunk into a listlessness, or indulge in sensualities, a
hundred times more pernicious than all the games ever celebrated in the
Temple of Tanee.
- title
- Chunk 2