This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1863 Excerpt: ...with oil. When brought out to be cried over, they were ornamented with feathers, and placed in some conspicuous place. Throughout Figi genuine tattooing is only found on the women; but not much of it is seen, as it is covered by the liku. Young women have barbed lines on their hands and fingers; and the middle-aged, ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1863 Excerpt: ...with oil. When brought out to be cried over, they were ornamented with feathers, and placed in some conspicuous place. Throughout Figi genuine tattooing is only found on the women; but not much of it is seen, as it is covered by the liku. Young women have barbed lines on their hands and fingers; and the middle-aged, patches of blue at the corners of the mouth. The custom of tattooing is said to be in conformity with the appointment of Ndengei, and its neglect punished after death. The native name is qia, and, as it is confined to women, so the operators are always of the same sex. An instrument called a "tooth," consisting of four or five bone teeth fixed to a light handle six inches long, is dipped in a pigment made of charcoal and candle-nut oil; LUCKY ESCAPE OF TONGA WOMEX. 201 the pattern having been previously marked on the body, the lines are rendered permanent by the blackened comb, which is driven through the skin in the same manner as a fleam, though with less violence. Months are often occupied in the process, which is painful, and only submitted to from motives of pride and fear. Feasts are held also in connection with this. The command of the god affects but one part of the body, and the fingers are only marked to excite the admiration of the chief, who sees them in the act of presenting his food. The spots at the corners of the mouth notify, on some islands, that the woman has borne children, but oftener are for the concealment of the wrinkles of ago. Figians account humorously for the Tongan practice of tattooing being confined to the men instead of the women. They say that the Tongan who first reported the custom to his countrymen, being anxious to state it correctly, repeated, in a sing-song tone, as he went along, "Tattoo the...
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Seller's Description:
Front endsheet replaced (not that well); cloth frayed at spine extremities, joints, and corners; light soiling. xi, 418 pp. Nine color plates and numerous engraved text illustrations. 8vo,
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. 1865. Modern boards. Clean copy in modern cloth with marble boards. First and second series Illustrated with woodcuts and Colour Illustrations.....We ship daily from our warehouse.
