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| THE SAMOANS - Opposite the large Javan
settlement, on Midway Plaisance, was the rude theatre of the Samoans,
and beside it their "village," the main structure of which may be
espied in the background of the picture before us. These persons and
their associates were physically the best people at the World's
Columbian Exposition. When the men arrived at San Francisco, their
hair was a foot long, standing directly out from the head. Possibly
apprehending the fear of the public, our Samoans cut away their chief
ornament. Even then, their partial nakedness and their vigorous
rhythmic dancing made their visitors timid. The Samoans were brought
from Apia by H. J. Moors, a friend of Metaafi, and Kilalulu, the
chief before us at the left, was much depressed by the news, in
August, that Malietoa had overcome Metaafi at home. It was said that
the Smithsonian Institute secured a plaster cast of Kilalulu for
preservation as the form of a highly developed man. Kilalulu could
pound his hollow log and give his Fiji dances from daylight till
midnight and never abate a jot or tittle of his muscle. In the chair
sits Fetoai, the fairest of the troupe, and by her side Lola, the
singer assumes an attitude that soubrettes might envy. These woman
were eighteen years old, and Fetoai had a little daughter whom she
dressed in stylish American fashion. The Mailulu song which the
company gave while sitting had Gregorian harmony, and was probably
learned from the Catholic missionaries. The late John F. Ballantyne,
of Chicago, died while acting as one of the managers of this theatre. |
