Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/148

 122 FIJI AND THE FIJIAlfS. a valuable lot of yams was, if the giver spoke truly, "a matter of little importance, but given to help in fattening my hogs." All this, however, is quite insincere. Presents, which generally consist of " changes of raiment," or mats, or oil, are almost always offered, whether to men or gods, in a set form. Thanlis are always ex- pressed aloud, and generally with a kind wish for the giver, as, " I take this, and may have good health," or "livelong." Sometimes the wish is more general, as, " Let Christianity spread throughout the land ! " But such forms are plastic and fitted to circumstances. It is not uncommon for a man, on receiving a gift which he values, to lift it up to his head, or, sometimes, kiss it. One man to whom I gave a plane-iron, laid it on the floor, and then stooped down to kiss it. Guests who are about to leave by water, are always accompanied by their entertainers to the canoe ; and often a few fi'iends will go a short distance with them, although they have to regain the shore by swimming. Such as go by land are attended beyond the skirts of the town, and for some little distance. This is a fitting close to a visit which, if the road was dirty and no water at hand, began by the offering of water for the feet, and oil to anoint the face and body. In their dress, scanty as it is, the Fijians display great care and pride. In judging of this matter, it is very difficult for a civilized stranger to form a right opinion, influenced, as he must be, by the conventionalities of costume to which he is accustomed. Hence the natives are frequently spoken of as naked ; but they only seem so when compared with other nations. It must be borne in mind, that the character of the climate and the quality of their skin both render dress, as far as mere utility is concerned, unnecessary : the people, therefore, ought to receive full credit for modesty in the partial covering which they adopt, and about the use of which they are scrupu- lously particular. Vanity adds ornament to the simple dress, and dec- orates or defaces, according to prevailing custom, different parts of the body. The dress of the men is a kind of sash of white, brown, or figured masi, varying in length from three to a hundred yards. Six or ten yards, however, is the usual measure. Tliis sash is passed between the legs, and wound two or three times round the loins, securing one end in front, so as to fall over to the knees like a curtain ; the end behind is fastened in a bunch, or left to trail on the ground. When a Chief is dressed in style, a few folds are taken higher up round his body, like a sword belt, and both ends of the sash form long trains. The women arc not allowed to use masi, but wear the likuj or