They Paraded
Into The Square In Very Stately Fashion, Singing In Their Curious And
Savage Discords, And Then Went Through Some Grand Dances, Keeping
Wonderful Time With Their Clubs And Bodies, And From Time To Time
Giving Forth A Loud Yell Which Was Really Thrilling.
They next rushed
backward and forward brandishing their clubs and killing an imaginary
foe, and then clapped their hands together in even time.
Then off
came the "tapa" from around them, and the heap was made still larger.
Another yell from the crowd. Then silence, followed by more speaking,
and every now and then a deep "Ah-h" from all present, which sounded
like distant thunder and was most impressive. Then all the people
clapped their hands and chanted a few words in low suppressed voices,
and the ceremony, lasting between four or five hours, was over. From
time to time a man would approach the "Buli" and fall down on all
fours and clap his hands before he could speak. I felt at times as
if I was watching a comic opera or a ballet, and there were many
amusing incidents. I think honours were fairly easy between the big
show and myself, as the people kept whispering and looking around at
me the whole time. I never passed a hut without causing excitement,
and there would be cries of "papalangai" and a mass of faces would
appear at the doors. Wherever I went I was followed at a respectful
distance by a crowd of girls and children, but if I turned to retrace
my steps there was a panic-stricken rush to get out of my way.
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