A SAMOAN WEDDING

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3247, 18 January 1926, Page 7

A SAMOAN WEDDING

VEIL AND TALO-POWDER, STRANGE MIXTURE OF CUSTOMS. Away in the sunny South Pacific, European customs have become strangely intermingled with the native. Even a native -wedding is not free from a suggestion of Paris modes and consequently the dusky brides wear their orange blossom and veil with the air of society belles in New Zealand. But there is a charm about a native wedding in Samoa despite the attempt to be thoroughly European. Native customs are not forgotten altogether fortunately. Thero is much feasting and exchanging of presents. One custom New Zealand bridegrooms would not care for, and that is that the Samoan* groom provides the whole of the bride’s regalia. A wedding which took place recently at Salelologa, in the island of Saviia, was an event of great importance. The evening before the ceremony the little village was alive with visitors, some of whom consisted of Sisters (teachers). They were received by the chief end regaled with boiled chicken, taro, and tea, spread on a table, European-fashton, with a cloth and knives and forks. Toilet towels, quite now, were used as. table napkins, and a large, old-fashioned bedroom mirror lay in the middle of the table to reflect the flowers. The native girls who accompanied the teachers were given a meal of pork, breadfruit, palusami, and “sea” (a wormy delicacy), and were waited on by the young men of the village.

Everyone was astir at daybreak next morning, and at 6 a.m. the bride was arrayed In her finery. Nothing was missing—bridal robe wreath veil scented handkerchief —and plenty of talc-powder!! And a Samoan bride is just as particular about her weddingdress as any European. When the dressing was completed the little party proceeded to the church, which had been decorated with greenery.

The village string band escorted the bridal party to the bride's home. Tea was served at 9 a.m. and with it delicious breadfruit and butter. When the family's stock of teacups was exhausted soup-plates did duty, and when these gave out dinner-plates were requisitioned. The hostess sat by and urged her guests to 'eat plenty," but to be careful with the cups and plates, or else she would have none left for the morning Lea, when her own son, a boy of 16, got married. At noon there wae more food. The guests sat down on the lawn to a “taumafataga,” but few attempted to eat the pork, poultry, taro, etc., which were provided. Instead, the food disappeared like lightning into baskets and was carried away. This is a peculiar custom, but quite faa-Samoa. During the whole day the chief and .tulafalo received the wedding presents, and distributed the "tu’uga,” a most serious thing, in which no mistake must be made.