Rarotongan "Nuku"
p. 32 · Read in the full issue
Prom Our Own Correspondent
Rarotonga. Jan. 31.
TH E biennial New Year “nuku” per formed by the combined district organisations of the London Mis sionary Society was held before a large gathering at Ngatangiia on January 9.
The “nuku” usually consists of a num ber of playlets depicting familiar in cidents from the Bible, each district contributing one or more .items. One is always assured of entertainment at the “nuku,” if only because of the remark able ingenuity displayed in the way of “props,” stage effects and costumes. As at most village concerts, the world over, there are often unrehearsed effects which add to the general amusement.
This year a departure was made from the usual biblical scenes, and we were given instead representations of the ori ginal landings of the renowned mis sionary, John Williams, and his followers, on the various islands of the Cook Group.
The usual inventiveness was demon strated in the construction of the missionaries’ ship. The vessel, complete with sails, was made of saplings and plaited coconut fronds arranged round a motor truck, so that it was able to cruise under its own power. The canoes which put out from the shores of the newly discovered islands were also made of plaited coconut fronds and propelled by their occupants.
Missionaries and sailors were attired in “period” costumes, John Williams be ing unmistakable in his black, long tailed coat and top-hat. (Many old Raro tongans carefully preserve the Sunday clothes of earlier days, although they are no longer worn.) One of the day’s highlights was the stirring episode of the first attempted landing on Mangaia. We saw the in trepid Tahitian missionary, Papeiha, with two other native missionaries and their wives, seized and rough-handled by the Mangaian savages. Witnessing this through his telescope, John Williams ordered his captain to fire a warning shot. The cannon represented by a length of down-pipe—was brought to bear on the “island” and a large dance-drum concealed within the vessel provided a very effective concussion—which caused the Mangaians to release their victims and scamper away in alarm.
All agreed that the “nuku” was up to the usual standard.