Journal of Edwin H. Bryan, Jr. while with the Whitney Expedition of the American Museum of Natural History on the schooner France, February to October 1924
Page 837
Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Contributed by American Museum of Natural History. | www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Transcription
Brotherton Bros. of Manchester to encourage sports among the Fijians. 1st. Competition among teams of the various provinces. Cup a facsimile of the famous old English Soccer Cup, and competition governed by same rules. Morning - Lomai Viti defeated Rewa 3 to 0 Afternoon - Naitasiri defeated Tailevu 2 to 0 Mekes beautifully performed despite showers of rain. First 9 women dancers, then 34 men dancers. Costumes of masi (tapa) and native fiber "ribbon". Faces blackened or painted. People of Bau staged old time meke, using spears, war clubs and feather and reed head dresses. Faces and breasts blackened. Some with valuable neck- laces and breastplates. Governor presented with necklace of boar's tusks. Natives in turn presented with several tambuas through the acting Colonial Secretary. The scheduled mekes were followed by several impromptu ones by the enthusiastic natives and a general exchange of gifts. Evening - Children's costume ball. Sunday, October 12, 1924. Finish of Suva-Levuka launch race. 1st Tai Turaga. 2nd Adi Cakau. 3rd Thelma. Special church services. One union service being held out of doors. (See below for collecting done) Monday, October 13, 1924. Championship football game, won by Nartasiri 2 to 1. Regatta Day. Boat races all day. Reported the four days activities for the Fiji Times and Herald. Monday, October 12, 1924. Collected specimens of eggs, larvae and pupae of Levuana irridescons