Mapusaga, a Factor in Progressive Samoa

Mapusaga, a Factor in Progressive Samoa. BY ELDER JOHN Q. ADAMS, OF THE SAMOAN MISSION. III. Appearing on the scene of comparatively late years, the elders of the Latter-day Saints, with their practical, forceful system of training the natives, have done much to raise the standard of intelligence of this island race to the requisite level of comprehending the meaning of life, where they might appreciate thoroughly and live consistently the gospel principles. Apparently a keen, correct insight into the difficult problems confronting the elders has been granted them, for within a fleeting twenty-eight years, our combined school and colonization system has forged to the front, until now our school at Mapusaga is the recognized leader anions a number cf much older institutions. Or, we GROUP OF MAPUSAGA SCHOOL BOYS IN ONE OF THEIR PICTURESQUE DANCES.

might more properly say, the present combination dates back no further than 1902. Why? one naturally asks. Laying aside all religious atmosphere,— for with Truth on our side we have the preponderating advantage — and there yet remains a cogent reason or so to advance. To begin, the one irrefutable fact must be implanted in the mind of the native, that no true happiness exists in an idle community. Work, asanantedote for tropical laziness, is a remedy not particularly emphasized by others to the extent that the Latter-day Saints lay stress upon it. In the development of our two local cocoanut plantations our Saints have done the brunt of the heavy, manual labor. The on-looker will invariably ask, "Do they take to it?" "Why all this reversal of the naturally lazy-going order of a hot zone?" "Why introduce manual labor among a race who feast continually without the worry of much previous preparation?" Such queries were propounded to the writer by a tourist in Apia, not long since, and here is the reply given him: "My dear sir, had you but time to take a run up to our model village, you would then behold a community consisting entirely of those of our faith. You would observe the men going forth in the early morning, with axes on their shoulders, and after swinging all day at forest monsters, return in the evening, weary but contented. You would see the women as industriously engaged in the various avocations incident to such scenes, and in all the hum of a busily engaged collection of humanity, you would fail to find a discordant note of discontent or unwillingness; instead, the HOW COCOANUTS ARE BROUGHT TO EARTH.

MAP U SAGA, A FACTOR IN PROGRESSIVE SAMOA. 232 new order of things would strike you as being rather a pleasing contrast to outside conditions, the half -clad savagery supplemented by the decently-attired, happy, contented individual." Thus was his question answered, and thus may all similar inquiries be met. Our Saints here, as elsewhere, work; and this means everything in advancement. A • ,., ,, A BANANALEAF HUT. Again, while the universal custom of the islands In which the elder lived who superin- . , . v .,■. tended the bush-cutting, is to use tobacco without re- & straint,rour boys and girls are taught its baneful effects; and by prohibiting its use, we have model villages in this respect. With GROUP OF TUTUILA ELDERS AND NATIVE SCHOOL GIRL.

GROUP OF MAPUSAGA ENGLISH SPEAKING GIRLS. respect to the old-time customs and habits which are difficult to eradicate, we may depend upon time and gradually weaning, to produce an entirely different, idealized race of people. So much for a "preliminary survey," which, after all, is the gist of at least one division of the subject we had in mind in the beginning. A paragraph or so may be added relative to the actual prevailing conditions of the school, as an observer might view it, in its daily routine. Suppose he should come strolling in from the coast some early morning. After an inland walk of three miles, partly through banana and cocoanut patches, and partly in the dense shade of the tropical wilderness, he would suddenly emerge into the dazzling light of a big clearing adorned with stumps, great tree-trunks and short shrubbery, and interspersed at regular intervals with small cocoanut trees. The trail borders the clearing for nearly BRINGING THE ELDERS FOOD.

MAP US AG A, A FACTOR IN PROGRESSIVE SAMOA. 235 a mile, the broad, bare mountain side being displayed to good advantage, surmounted by a fringe of forest for all the world like a gigantic? well-trimmed pompadour. (The illustration appeared in the November Era, page 54.) Shortly, extensive banana patches are passed and directly the first halfdozen thatched houses of our village peep out from either side of the trail, as the village green or playground is traversed. The elders' house, undoubtedly the only good one of its class on the islands, looms up pretentiously from its elevated site. It is large and roomy — 56x25 feet, with lumber floor, partitions and side railings, the upper part being native made. It is at once simple, ONE OF OUR BRIGHT YOUNG BOYS SECTION ( F MAPUSAGA, AS IT APPEARS FR"M THE MOUNTAIN-SIDE.

236 IMPRO VEMENT ERA . strong, and above all else, cool and airy — a necessary point to be consideredhere. The church and schoolhouse, a large, frame building is also situated on a commanding spot of ground, and one is struck with astonishment to learn that the material for both these large buildings, as well as for other things, was all carried up a narrow, stony, bushy trail, a distance of three miles, on the backs of school boys and girls. Rather a forceful arguThe photos in this article by the author. ELDERS' HOUSE, MAPUSAGA. ment of itself, no doubt. Tons of sand and lime-rock, boards, timbers, roofing iron, kegs of nails, barrels of cement, each weighing three hundred and sixty pounds, etc., etc., all find a secure resting place upon the calloused shoulders of these children, and all without complaint. And added to this is the fact that in the early morning food is prepared, while from seven until twelve they are busy in school. Immediately upon dismissal of school, off they trudge, day after day, to either weed the plantation with

MAP U SAGA, A FACTOR IN PROGRESSIVE SAMOA. 287 great, long knives, cut trees, or carry burdens of various sorts from the coast. Is it any wonder that the elders learn to love them? Laboring in such a place is inspirational in many ways. One sees a small, uncouth tot begin an uphill career in the school, his instinct telling him that Samoan ideals are in advance CHURCH AND SCHOOLHOUSE. °f a11 otners> wmle This building serves for both church and sohool. ms teacher an(| sur" The material was carried on the backs of school rounding conditions children, from the coast, a distance of three forcefully proclaim miles, up a stony, narrow, bushy trail. to the contrary. By degrees, as months mould themselves into years, perhaps two or three, the once rough diamond takes on a polish of the sort that most encourages the teacher, and in the semi-annual pilgrimage our school takes to Pago Pago, with a well prepared conference program to present before the crew of the man of war stationed there, the children are supremely happy in the light of the new life. In conclusion: There is deep joy and satisfaction in this bringing of the young generation of Lamanites to the comparatively high standard their forefathers once departed from when jealousy, hatred and sin crept into the family of Father Lehi, sending his two eldest sons on a downward course, as the progenitors of a race that, after some hundreds of years of retrogression, has fallen into line with the spirit of the times, and is steadily regaining lost ground. In the accomplishing of this on these islands, our school at Mapusaga is playing a recognized part of consequence. Pago Pago, Samoa.