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568 FEATUKES— TATTOW WAlt-DANCE.
eminently possesses. The expression of his features indicates
energy, quickness of apprehension, without much reflection;
and a high degree of daring. Ferocity is a striking trait in the
countenances of many among the older men, and it is increased
considerably by the savage style in which their feces are disfi-
gm-ed, or, as they think, ornamented by lines cut in the skin
with a blunt-edged iron tool, and stained black. These lines
are certainly designed with as much tarte, even elegance, as
could possibly be exerted in such disfiguring devices. The
expression which, it appears, is anxiously desired, is that of a
demon-warrior. All their old ideas seem to have had reference
to war. Well might the Spanish poet’s description of the Araucanians
have been applied to the New Zealanders in their former
condition:—
“ Venus y Amor aqui no alcanzan parte,
Solo domina el iracundo Marte!”
The lines upon the face are not, however, arbitrary marks,
invented or increased at the caprice of individuals, or the fancy
of the operator who inflicts the torture; they are heraldic ornaments,
distinctions far more intelligible to the natives of New
Zealand than our own armorial bearings are to many of us, in
these unchivairjc days. Yo.ung men have but few: slaves, born
in bondage, or taken young, have scarcely any marks; but the
older men, especially the more distinguished chiefs, are so,
covered with them that the natural expression of face is almost
hidden under an ornamented mask. One object of the tattow-
ing, is to prevent change of features after middle age. Some of
the women, whom the missionaries endeavoured to persuade not
to follow this practice, said, “ Let us have a few lines on our
lips, that they may not shrivel when we are old.”
Every one has heard oft and many people have seen the
war-dance. What exaggerated distortions of human features
could be contrived more horrible than those they then
display ? What approach to demons could human beings make
nearer than that which is made by the Zealanders when infuriating,
maddening themselves for battle by their dance of
death !
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