Travel of Georg Forster
Tahiti - Society Islands (Otaheite, O-Taheitee)
Title
Tahitian amusements
Short description
Georg Forster describes how Tahitians spend their time reflecting on the peacefulness that characterises island life. So much so that he concludes that "they are free from cares and happy in their ignorance" (p. 112).
Text on source
There they amuse themselves with smoothing their hair, and anoint it with fragrant oils; or they blow the flute, and sing to it, or listen to the songs of the birds. At the hour of noon, or a little later, they go to dinner. After their meals they resume their domestic amusements, during which the flame of mutual affection spreads in every heart, and unites the rising generation with new and tender ties. The lively jest, without any ill-nature, the artless tale, the jocund dance and frugal supper, bring on the evening; and another visit to the river concludes the actions of the day.
English translation
Folios/Pages
pp. 111-112
Date
1774 05 14
Observations on the events description
The dots on the map indicate the places where sound and music events were described. They don't represent travel stages.
Participants
No other participants in this event description.
How to quote
Fabbrocino A. P., "Tahitian amusements" (Event description), Echos. Sound Ecosystems in Travelogues. Published 2024 03 31.
doi: 10.25430/echos.travels.76
This work is licensed under CC-BY-SA 4.0 
