Діти капітана Гранта

Introduction to the Cannibals

           Chiefsofhighpositionmaybeknownbythefinishandprecisionandtruthofthedesign,whichsometimescoverstheirwholebodieswiththefiguresofanimals.Somearefoundtoundergothepainfuloperationof"moko"fivetimes.Themoreillustrious,themoreillustrated,istheruleofNewZealand.

           DumontD’Urvillehasgivensomecuriousdetailsastothiscustom.Hejustlyobservesthat"moko"isthecounterpartofthearmorialbearingsofwhichmanyfamiliesinEuropearesovain.Butheremarksthatthereisthisdifference:thearmorialbearingsofEuropearefrequentlyaproofonlyofthemeritsofthefirstwhoborethem,andarenocertificateofthemeritsofhisdescendants;whiletheindividualcoat-of-armsoftheMaoriisanirrefragibleproofthatitwasearnedbythedisplayofextraordinarypersonalcourage.

           Thepracticeoftattooing,independentlyoftheconsiderationitprocures,hasalsoausefulaspect.Itgivesthecu-taneoussystemanincreasedthickness,enablingittoresisttheinclemencyoftheseasonandtheincessantattacksofthemosquito.

           Astothechiefwhowassteeringthecanoe,therecouldbenomistake.ThesharpenedalbatrossboneusedbytheMaoritattooer,hadfivetimesscoredhiscountenance.Hewasinhisfifthedition,andbetrayeditinhishaughtybearing.

           Hisfigure,drapedinalargematwovenof"phormium"trimmedwithdogskins,wasclothedwithapairofcottondrawers,blood-stainedfromrecentcombats.

Налаштування
Фон сторінки
Розмір шрифту
Міжрядковий інтервал
Фразові дієслова
Показати / Приховати меню
Шрифт
Roboto Lora
Уведомления
Сторінка 491 з 658