Page:American Anthropologist NS vol. 1.djvu/243

 212 AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST [n. s., i, 1899

Ellis 1 speaks of Tahiti canoe-racing, faatitiaihe-tno raa vaa,2& " occasionally practiced on the smooth waters of the ocean, within the reefs." J. Stanley Gardiner* relates that in Rotuma —

" canoe-sailing was carried on, especially on the occasions of certain big feasts in connection with the sou. The canoes employed were the small ones, the tavane, with mat sails. In each canoe only one man sailed, and the different districts would contest the prize with ten, twenty, or even more representatives. There were also commonly canoe-races for the women. The course was always inside the reef, and much fun was caused by the constant capsizing of the canoes."

22. Hei-hei-ka-pu : "TUB-RACING." — Tubs for racing are made out of casks cut in halves, and propelled with the hands. Andrews gives ka-pn-wai, from ka-pu % " place," and wai, " water," a bathing tub.

23. Hei-hei-na-ln : " SURF- RACING." — The surf-board,/tf-/tf-A**- na-ln, is made from the wood of the wuli-wiM (Erythrina co- rallodendruni) or bread-fruit tree. Ellis" describes it as generally five or six feet long, and rather more than a foot wide, sometimes flat, but more frequently slightly convex on both sides. It is usually made of the wood of the Erythrina f stained quite black and preserved with great care. After using, it is placed in the sun until perfectly dry, when it is rubbed over with cocoanut oil, frequently wrapped in cloth, and suspended in some part of the dwelling. Dr Bolton 4 describes the play as follows:

M Plunging through the nearer surf, the natives reached the outer line of breakers, and watching their opportunity they lay flat upon the board (the more expert kneeled), and just as a high billow was about to break over them, pushed landward in front of the combers. The waves rushing in were apparently always on the point of submerging the rider, but, unless some mishap occurred, they drove him forward with rapidity on to the beach or into shallow water."

��1 Vol. i, p. 210.


 * Journal Anthropological Institute, vol. XXVII, p. 486.

8 Vol. IV, p. 369.

4 Journal of American Folk-lore, vol. IV, p. 21.

�� �