A Peep at the South Sea Islander by Mrs. Maybelle H. K. Sterling

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Oct 31, 1911

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 38, Nos. 43, 44.

A Peep at the South Sea Islander

By Mrs. Maybelle H. K. Sterling

SOMETIMES it seems that the Maoris have one meal a day, and that is all day long; and then again they will live with a scarcity of food.

Only this morning a Maori came to the mission to get the missionary to come and see a sick baby. It was found to be nearly delirious from teething and poor feeding,—not the lack of food, but rather the superabundance. The Maoris love their children, and in their mistaken kindness are often imprudent. Often their houses are in such condition, and so poorly lighted and ventilated, that it almost makes one sick to remain long inside. Not all are like this. Some are quite cleanly.

It is true that the Maoris seem much more subject to disease now than in former years, and no doubt it is due to the evil ways of the foreigner which they have adopted. Many subsist much of the time upon tea and bread, or coffee and bread, which they purchase from the many tea-shops. This can be procured by going out and gathering a few coconuts, five or six, and taking them to the shop in exchange for a cup of tea and a generous piece of poorly made bread.

This little description would be incomplete without mentioning their feasts. These are a great thing in the Maoris' minds. If a man wants to build a house he makes a feast. Many come to the feast and work hard on the house for a short time, and then leave. The house then stands in its unfinished condition till another feast is made. Feasts are made at marriages, deaths, Christmas, and New Year's. At these times large native ovens are made by digging holes and partly filling them with stones. These are heated with fire, after which the food to be cooked is laid upon the hot stones and covered with leaves. Sometimes cows are cut up and baked in these ovens, but always a generous number of pigs are baked whole, and bunch after bunch of bananas, and poe, or native pudding. At a funeral women come bringing a piece of white cloth, expecting to get some pig; while the men who make the coffin and prepare the grave also expect a generous allowance. As a rule, the richer the man or the higher his position, the more pigs are expected, and the larger the attendance at the funeral.

All the time the need of teaching these poor people how to care for themselves, is impressively forced upon us, as we work for their souls.

MRS. MAYBELLE H. K. STERLING. Rarotonga, Cook Islands.