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Easter Island: Early Witnesses
William Thomson
466
probably originated this custom. Love of family is a strong trait in their character; children are loudly cared for, and the desire for offspring is general.
TATTOOING.
Tattooing is not practised it the present time, none being observed upon children and young persons. But all those advanced in life are ornamented on all parts of the body. Unlike the Samoans and other islanders, where a standard pattern is adhered to, the designs were only limited by the fancy and ability of the artist. Both sexes were tattooed (Figs. 4, a and b), but the women to a greater extent and with more elaborate designs than the men. The material used in tattooing is obtained by burning the leaf of an indigenous plant called "ti," which is moistened with the juice of a berry called "poporo." A tattoo comb is made of bone or fish bones fastened to a stick, which is held in position and struck with a sharp blow.
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| FIG. 4, a. |
FIG. 4, b. |
TATTOOING ON NATIVE WOMAN
(FRONT VIEW). |
TATTOOING ON NATIVE WOMAN
(BACK VIEW). |
The highest ornamentation was as follows: A narrow band around the upper part of the forehead, at the edge of the roots of hair, with little circles extending down upon the forehead and joined to the band
466