THE WHALE'S TOOTH.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 41, 18 February 1927, Page 7

THE WHALE'S TOOTH.

Native Symbol of Affection and Homage. • ■ INTERESTING RITUAL. SUVA, February IS. Many picturesque incidents happened during the Tisit to the shore this afternoon of the Duke and Duchess of York. A number of ex-servicemen were presented to them. A guard of honour, comprising sturdy Fijian*, who moved with the precision of a line regiment, were inspected. They then marched through the streets, accompanied by admiring crowds of gaily<lad natives and Indians.

The school children who assembled in the grounds at Government House made * gallant show. Their colours ranged from deep black to the white of the Europeans, but all were the same in the enthusiasm of their cheers in honour of the Royal visitors, who begged a whole holiday for them.

A colourful scene greeted the Duke and Duchess on their arrival at the recreation ground.

There was a large gathering of chiefs ■nd chieftainesses, clad in all their pagan dnery—tappa cloth*, whales' teeth and garlands, and girdles of leaves and flowers. All were seated on the ground. The first ceremony was the presentation of a whale's tooth, or "tambua" to the Duke as a symbol of homage and affection. The announcement of its acceptance was received with a low-voiced chant from the seated chieftains.

Then women approached the Duke and Duchess slowly in two long lines. Gracefully walking they poured water into tbc prow of a canoe, indicating the arrival of the Duchess from the sea. They then placed the "tambua" on the canoe. This ceremony is seldom performed.

The presentation of a yaqona, or kava root, and the long and imposing ceremony of kava making followed. The Duke and Duchess and several members of their staff had to partake of a drink of kava, evidently not in every ease with unmixed satisfaction.

The culminating ceremony was the performance of acts of homage by the people clustered behind the bowl in which the liquor had been made. They maintained a chant until the termination of this solemn ceremony which was punctuated by many cries of appreciation and soft hand-clapping.

The address of welcome was read by the oldest chief. Another chief then presented the whale's tooth to the Duke and expressed pleasure at the visit of Their Royal Highnesses.

The presentation of nanj splendid examples of Dative craftsmanship concluded the ceremonial.

PICTURESQUE ESCORT. I FIJIANS' FLAMING TORCHES. (Received 1 p.m.) SUVA, this day. At last night'a reception a picturesque escort of 24 Fijians from several islands with flaming torches, accompanied tbc Duke and Duchess of York from Government House to their hotel, where a guard of four lusty spearmen awaited them and marched through the ballroom with the Royal party. They mounted guard during the reception, after which the torch bearers and spearmen accompanied the Royal visitors to the ship. The Duke and Duchess spent the morning in the Royal barge exploring the rivers flowing into the harbour.