The South Sea Islanders by J. E. FULTON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Apr 18, 1912

The South Sea Islanders

By J. E. FULTON

J. E. FULTON

AFTER having lived a number of years among the islanders of the South Seas, one is often interested in making comparisons as he comes in contact with another race.

In color, the Fijians are darker than any of the Malays. The hair of the Fijian is frizzly, much like that of the Papuan, while that of the Malay is straight, without an appearance of a curl in it, unless there is an admixture of Papuan blood. The Malay, though a well-formed man, is decidedly inferior in stature to the Fijian, Samoan, or Tongan.

In character there are many contrasts. The Malay is impassive, reserved, and diffident. Not so the Fijian. He is far more demonstrative in speech and in action. Although not the most emotional being in the world, still the Fijian keeps far from the reserve and indifference of the Malay. I miss very much the singing and the frolicsome laughter of the Fijians and other South Sea islanders.

As far as intellect is concerned, it would be hard for me to judge of the shades of difference. The Malays have had a long opportunity with partially civilized and superior races, yet they do not seem to have developed greatly under this tuition. As far as I can see, the Fijian is his equal mentally, and in some respects is his superior. The Fijian shows at least more feeling for art than the Malay. He makes better houses, decorates them in a better style, and keeps them cleaner. He decorates his canoes with carvings, or at least did formerly, but we see little of this among the Malays. The grave Malay may be more reliable and trustworthy in responsible positions. We have seen Malays driving locomotives and electric trains, but we fear that the Fijian would not be fitted for this kind of work.

I have noted a very commendable trait among the Malays, and that is their love toward their offspring. Often have I been made sad by the seeming indifference of the Fijian parent, but the Malays are generally kind and gentle with their children, even indulging them. It is certainly gratifying to find a race where the relations between parents and children are as commendable as we find them among the Malays.

The greatest contrast we can think of is in numbers. Where there are but a few thousand Fijians, there are millions of Malays. Some one once said that God must greatly love the common people, since he made so many of them. That being so, he must have a high regard for this people also, there are so many of them. We have no doubt that he has. Their great numbers and their sad condition should appeal to us all. Who will “come over and help us”? There is room for many.