ETIQUETTE OF SAVAGES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XII, Issue II, 13 January 1894, Page 47

ETIQUETTE OF SAVAGES.

The men of our native races showed but scant courtesy in ;heir ordinary intercourse with each other. It was not >ften that one saw among them any distinction of rank observed. They all carried themselves with an air of independence, to say the least. This does not favour the iheory that they are of Asiatic origin, for the Coreans on the opposite shore of the Pacific are among the most cringing people in the world. The poorer classes are said to prostrate themselves in the dust before their superiors. Prostration is one of the oldest modes of salutation. It survives only among the least progressive people of Asia. Other forms have taken its place, even among the neighbouring Tartars and the conservative Thibetans. The Tartars scratch their ears, and the Thibetans put out their tongues. In giving an account of his interview with the chief of the police in Thibet, M. Hue, the adventurous missionary says, ‘ After politely putting out our tongues we withdrew.’ It is to be remarked that scarcely any savage ceremonial of this kind permits personal contact. It may be that mutual distrust is the reason for this. As an exception to the rule, there occurs the rubbing of noses among the Maoris of New Zealand, but such exceptions are rare. £ Bordering, perhaps, upon this degree of familiarity is what is reported of the chief of the Abts, of Vancouver Island. When this dignitary wishes to pay his guests an especial compliment, he puts on a mask full of porcupine’s quills, upon which he heaps a quantity of swan’s down, and lancing up to his visitor, he gives a jerk with his head and sends the down all over the honoured individual. It is reported of a tribe of natives in Africa that whenever one of them wants to show his pleasure at meeting a friend he claps his bands twice. This manner of welcoming is common among children of all countries. Aside from its aoisy demonstration, it reminds me of the Chinese form of salutation. These people fold one hand over the other, and raise the clasped hands a little higher than the rightshoulder. The head is inclined to the same side until the right cheek nearly rests upon the hands. If unusual pleasure at the meeting is to be shown, the hands, still folded, are moved up Mid down repeatedly with a rapid motion.