OCR Text |
Show "Have a Tooth?" In tho FIJI Islnnds n polished Ivorv tnmbu, or whnlo's tooth Is a symbol of chleftnlnshlp, nnd extremely vnlunblo, ns nny request lacked by nn exhibition exhibi-tion of a tnmbu Is theoretically bound to bo granted. Thus, If a FIJInn hendmnn wlsheu to mnrry n neighboring neighbor-ing chief's daughter, ho sends a messenger mes-senger first with tho precious tnmbu supposing him to possess one. Neither tho girl nor her fnn.or has then nny further cholco In tho matter. Tho wedding hns got to be. Thesa objects, ob-jects, ns mny well be Imnglned, nro Jcnlously guarded by their fortunnto possessors; and nny FIJInn. If well enough off, will purchase ono from n foreigner for n lnrgo sum. The nn-tlves nn-tlves never, or nt least very rarely, can bo Induced to sell their tnmbus. Tactful district commissioners frequently fre-quently follow tho FIJInn custom, nnd when nsklng for huspltnilty on their tours In tho Interior, send a uhnlcx tooih with their inesscnutr. |