Mongolian
pp. 72-73 · Read in the full issue
Other Views On Mongolian Hospitality, Music
(From Our Rarotonga Correspondent) r[E news item “Mangaia Not Interested in Visitors,” pub lished in the April PIM, contains some very debatable statements. It may be true that alien settlers are not encouraged; but a great deal depends upon how the Mangaians view the prospective settler.
The Mangaians are a proud and independent people; they treat strange Europeans with reserve, but once convinced that the visitor is not there to attempt a land survey, or any other form of subversive activity, their attitude is friendly and hospitable.
The Mangaians have consistently refused to have their island sur veyed and are opposed to the estab lishment of an Administration Land Court, preferring to settle their land disputes among them selves without what they regard as “interference” from outsiders. Be cause they are naturally jealous of their land, which represents the basis of their economy and liveli
hood, they refuse to lease or rent land to Europeans.
But they will often give rent-free land to any prospective settler who asks for it —providing that he is acceptable to them.
Temporary visitors are treated with the old-time hospitality for which the Islands used to be famous. During my three weeks; stay in Mangaia in April, gifts ol food arrived almost daily from my
and when I left I had a hard time getting them to accept »some tinned food in return. [ Feasts are frequently given in honour of visitors, and one distinguished European of my acquaintance attended numerous pasts, several of which were given on one day, so that he sometimes had to cut short his stay at one in order to arrive in time at the next.
After living for three years in Rarotonga, where European in fluence has done a great deal to destroy old Polynesian hospitality and customs, it was refreshing to visit Mangaia where they still exist. [ To say that “genuine Mangaia chants are purely a cacophony, following no scale or rythmical pattern and apparently evolve as the singers sing,” is surely a biased opinion that must prejudice those Europeans unfamiliar with the lsl ands against Polynesian singing. »T here are four distinct types of Mangaian chants and songs; and the singing parts range from falsetto down to deepest bass. The ute is a song of praise composed in honour of an individual or place, and follows a definite rythmic pattern that never changes.