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Samoan Material Culture

Pigeon Frying

Pigeon Frying

Tame pigeons used as decoys were also flown (fa'alelenga lupe) on a very long cord for recreation. The cord was three-ply sennit braid, but made very thin, so as not to be too heavy for the bird. The coconut husk was not beaten on an anvil but the fibres were separated in layers with a piece of flat pointed wood as in the making of strainers from laufao Beating on an anvil bruises the fibres and renders them weaker. For a thin cord, extra strength was needed. The cord was wound in figure of eight turns on the palm or back of the left hand round the thumb and little finger. The coil was removed, doubled at the crossing, and half hitches made round the doubled end as in the i'o fanga method. The inner end of the cord was pulled out and the cord tied round the pigeon's leg.

A piece of the thin bark cloth known as lauu'a was rolled round the right forefinger. The coil of cord was held in the left hand and as the pigeon flew, the cord ran out of the coil, and over the right forefinger, which was protected by the wrapping from the friction of the running cord.

The cord was made as long as possible. As it neared the end, the cord was given a couple of tugs as a signal for the trained pigeon to return. The return signal was called pao. As the pigeon flew back, the right hand brought back the slack to the left hand in coils.

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The old village of Poloa in Tutuila was situated up on a ridge and a certain part is still pointed out as a famous pigeon flying ground. The amusement was essentially one of chiefs as they owned the tame decoys for pigeon netting. They vied with one another to see whose pigeon would fly the greatest distance.