{"id":"01KG8AKRZV64D9TZPZZQAVRZ67","cid":"bafkreibplwntc6npwqufx2zoev7fmnvfrkdbqx7fht7p5l6wqvcjq3fhoi","type":"chunk","properties":{"end_line":6590,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:15.152Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"Chunk 2","source_file":"01KG89J1H7Y803CZ7X80F0QFHZ","start_line":6542,"text":"like an ungainly rider’s; and his ponderous legs were jammed so hard\r\ninto his slim, nether garments that the threads of every seam showed;\r\nand, at every step, you looked for a catastrophe.\r\n\r\nIn general, there seems to be no settled style of dressing among the\r\nmales; they wear anything they can get; in some cases, awkwardly\r\nmodifying the fashions of their fathers so as to accord with their own\r\naltered views of what is becoming.\r\n\r\nBut ridiculous as many of them now appear, in foreign habiliments, the\r\nTahitians presented a far different appearance in the original national\r\ncostume; which was graceful in the extreme, modest to all but the\r\nprudish, and peculiarly adapted to the climate. But the short kilts of\r\ndyed tappa, the tasselled maroes, and other articles formerly worn,\r\nare, at the present day, prohibited by law as indecorous. For what\r\nreason necklaces and garlands of flowers, among the women, are also\r\nforbidden, I never could learn; but, it is said, that they were\r\nassociated, in some way, with a forgotten heathen observance.\r\n\r\nMany pleasant, and, seemingly, innocent sports and pastimes, are\r\nlikewise interdicted. In old times, there were several athletic games\r\npractised, such as wrestling, foot-racing, throwing the javelin, and\r\narchery. In all these they greatly excelled; and, for some, splendid\r\nfestivals were instituted. Among their everyday amusements were\r\ndancing, tossing the football, kite-flying, flute-playing, and singing\r\ntraditional ballads; now, all punishable offences; though most of them\r\nhave been so long in disuse that they are nearly forgotten.\r\n\r\nIn the same way, the “Opio,” or festive harvest-home of the breadfruit,\r\nhas been suppressed; though, as described to me by Captain Bob, it\r\nseemed wholly free from any immoral tendency. Against tattooing, of any\r\nkind, there is a severe law.\r\n\r\nThat this abolition of their national amusements and customs was not\r\nwillingly acquiesced in, is shown in the frequent violation of many of\r\nthe statutes inhibiting them; and, especially, in the frequency with\r\nwhich their “hevars,” or dances, are practised in secret.\r\n\r\nDoubtless, in thus denationalizing the Tahitians, as it were, the\r\nmissionaries were prompted by a sincere desire for good; but the effect\r\nhas been lamentable. Supplied with no amusements in place of those\r\nforbidden, the Tahitians, who require more recreation than other\r\npeople, have sunk into a listlessness, or indulge in sensualities, a\r\nhundred times more pernicious than all the games ever celebrated in the\r\nTemple of Tanee.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r","title":"Chunk 2"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJK7H4F6BFNB55PY7P560","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J1H7Y803CZ7X80F0QFHZ","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AKRZV1GCNAQ08532FASY1","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"prev"}],"ver":2,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:15.355Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:48:29.254Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF0H3YRP9ZSM033AM0QJ47H"}}