Coronation and inglorious army

Invincible Strangers 8 - Chapter 2.2

On 23 March 1899 Malietoa went ashore at Mulinu’ū to be crowned king of that part of the country where Anglo-Americans could have him ‘under the guns and protection of the English and American fleets.’ Ship bands struck up and supporters marched along Mulinu’ū road.

‘Not a solitary German was present, but it was a brave show, nevertheless,’ Ross reported. ‘Such a coronation parade as had never been seen in Sāmoa or anywhere else.’

Malietoa aboard a British warship by Thomas Andrews. Te Papa Museum

Ross devoted space to the clothing, seeing it as part of the ‘gradual evolution of the warrior… The conquering, colonizing British are using the savage in this land as they have used him in many another land, only now our first cousin the American is taking a hand in the deal, and evidently is holding pretty good cards, too.’ He saw Malietoa’s Red Tops around Porpoise; ‘There a young buck strutted beturbaned with gorgeous antimacassar of scarlet and green, and scanty, faded lavalava that showed the tattooing of his thighs and legs; and yonder was a very prince of soldiers, bare-headed and barefooted it is true, but wearing a braided blue coat that at one time belong to some American petty officer or bandsman.’