South Pacific Expedition: The Adventurer's Paradise

Author: Tsimiet
Translator: Gui Yufang
Country: France
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2000-03-01
Features: To His Majesty: The voyage I am about to report to You is the first time our country has undertaken a global expedition, completed by Your Majesty's fleet. As we gradually approached the land, the islanders, in canoes, swarmed towards us, surrounding our fleet. We struggled to break free from the noisy crowd and managed to land. The islanders shouted "Taya" (meaning friend) and made various friendly gestures. They demanded iron nails and earrings from us. The canoes were filled with women, whose faces were as beautiful as European women, and their plump, lovely figures were even more attractive than those of European women. These beautiful women were all naked because the cloth they usually wore was torn off by the men and old women around them. They kept flirting with us from the canoes, appearing innocent yet slightly shy. Perhaps shyness is a natural trait of women, even in a place where customs are free and open, women are reluctant to speak of their desires. However, the men here were completely different—direct and straightforward. They made their intentions clear, urging us to quickly select women and land. They also used clear gestures to explain how to get acquainted with the women. I had over four hundred French naval officers under my command, young and strong, who had not seen women for half a year. Under such circumstances, how could they concentrate on their work? I tried my best to prevent these women from boarding the ship, but despite all my precautions, one girl still managed to get on. She walked towards the young men at the stern of the ship and stopped above the hatchway, which was used for ventilation. The girl undressed herself without any hesitation and soon stood naked before everyone, like the goddess Venus appearing before the shepherd of Phrygia, a country in Asia Minor. This girl was so beautiful that the sailors and soldiers rushed to the hatchway to catch a glimpse of her, while the winch turned rapidly, accelerating forward. Although we managed to stop the men who had already been mesmerized by the beauty, it was difficult to control their desires. One French chef, despite the prohibition, sneaked off the ship and returned almost lifeless. This chef had fallen for one of the beautiful women and, after following her ashore, was immediately surrounded by the indigenous people, stripped of his clothes. He thought he was doomed. The indigenous people shouted and examined every part of his body before returning his clothes and the items they had taken from his pockets. Then, they brought the girl over to satisfy his desires, but the act was interrupted. In the end, this poor chef was sent back to the ship by the indigenous people. He told me not to blame him for his punishment, as the shock and humiliation he had endured on the shore were even greater. An old man who despised Europeans stopped the boat after it docked, and I, along with a few officers, went ashore to look for a place to get fresh water. A large group of indigenous men and women greeted us and stared at us intently. Some of them, with large, puffy eyes, walked over and lifted our clothes, touching us to see if we were like them. They did not carry weapons like clubs but were instead very hospitable. The tribal leader then took us to his home for a visit. His home had five or six women, as well as a formidable elder. The women placed their hands on their chests and repeatedly shouted "Taya," expressing their welcome. The elder was the owner's father, with an extremely stern and imposing appearance. His silver hair and white beard, strong and healthy body, and face without a single wrinkle or sign of aging made him seem awe-inspiring. This respected elder ignored us and showed no reaction to our friendly gestures. He was neither surprised nor afraid, nor curious. The islanders warmly welcomed our arrival, but the elder remained indifferent, even leaving his seat midway. His thoughtful and worried expression seemed to warn his tribe that the peaceful and happy days would one day be shattered by the arrival of foreigners.
[...]
A View of the Tahitians
During our stay in Tahiti, apart from occasional thefts, everything was relatively calm. Each of us went for walks on the island, either alone or in small groups, and we did not carry weapons. Once, the locals invited us into their homes for food, and the generous hosts even offered us young girls. The small hut quickly filled with curious men and women, surrounding the guests and the young girls at the center. Musicians played lively tunes on flutes, and the floor was covered with leaves and flowers. The indigenous women were warm and hospitable, like the goddess Venus herself, radiating allure. Here, sexual contact between men and women was as natural as anything else, without any mystery. However, we felt uncomfortable having sex in public, so the locals were surprised by our reaction. Later, I don’t know if anyone overcame this psychological barrier and followed local customs.
Several times, I, along with the first and second mates and other officers, visited the island. There, we felt as if we were in Eden—rolling plains, trees heavy with fruit, winding streams, and a refreshing coolness instead of unpleasant humidity. The people of this land were blessed with nature’s generosity. Groups of men and women sat under the fruit trees, greeting us friendly. When locals encountered us on the road, they would step aside to let us pass. The entire place was filled with a warm, peaceful, serene, and joyful atmosphere.
[...]
The Life of the Tahitians
Their life seemed happy and enviable. I had thought they were all equal, at least free, a freedom that guaranteed their happiness and prosperity. But this was not true, as there were significant differences in the lives of the various classes on the island, with a strict hierarchy. The ruling nobles had the power to life and death over their servants, and even the common people, whom they called "Tataeinou" (the lowly), were at their mercy, serving as sacrifices. The chiefs had fish and meat dishes they could enjoy freely, while the commoners could only eat vegetables and fruits. Even the use of nighttime lighting was different—the chiefs and the people burned different types of wood.
Bougainville’s Voyage Around the World
When the French set sail for home, bidding farewell to the inhabitants of New Ciblere, the old man mentioned by Bougainville appeared. The old man showed no reaction to the Europeans who had come to the island—neither surprise nor fear, nor curiosity. The Europeans approached him, but he turned away. The old man was silent, deep in thought, his expression revealing that he was reflecting, perhaps regretting that the good times would not last.
As Bougainville’s ship left the island, the islanders surged towards the shore, holding onto his clothes and crying with the sailors. The old man predicted that the Tahitians would suffer misfortune. He stepped forward with a stern expression and said, "Weep! Wretched Tahitians! Weep! You should weep not for the departure of these treacherous ones, but for their arrival. One day, you will see their true faces. Look at this man with a stick tied to his belt, and that one with a sword at his waist. One day, they will return, holding sticks in one hand and swords in the other, to put you in chains, to kill you, and to force you to adopt their vices. One day, you will serve them, just as corrupt and base as they are. The only comfort I have is that my life is ending, and I will not see this disaster. Ah, Tahitians! Oh, friends! There is only one way to avoid this future, but I would rather die than tell you. Let them go! Let us live!"
The Europeans were not only land thieves but also slave drivers. The old man continued to say to Bougainville, "You are the head of the thieves, and they all listen to you. Quickly sail your ship away from the shore. We Tahitians are peaceful and content, and you only bring destruction to our happiness. We live a simple life of nature, but you seek to destroy our nature. Here, everyone shares everything, but you distinguish between 'mine' and 'yours.' Our wives and daughters are for everyone to enjoy, and yet you share in this privilege. You have ignited a strange passion in their hearts, and with your embraces, you have made them mad, and made them jealous of each other. You have also fought among yourselves for them, staining their bodies with your blood."
"We are free people, yet you plant the seeds of slavery on our land. You are neither gods nor devils—what are you then? How dare you enslave us?"
"Orou, you understand their language. Come! Tell them what I just told you. Tell them what is written on this metal plaque. 'This land belongs to us.' Belongs to you? Why? Just because you set foot on this land? If one day the Tahitians set foot on your land and carve 'This land belongs to the Tahitians' on a stone or tree, how would you feel? You are strong, so what? You make a great fuss when someone takes a few of your worthless trinkets, but in secret, you plot to steal our entire homeland!"
"You are not slaves, and you would rather die than be a slave, yet you demand that we be slaves! Do you think the Tahitians will not die for freedom? You treat the Tahitians like beasts, and you seek to conquer them. Are they not your brothers? You are both children of nature, so why do you have the right to dominate them, while they have no right to dominate you? You came, did we attack you? Did we rob your ship? Did we capture you and make you a target for arrows? Did we make you work like animals in the fields? No! Because we care about how we are seen by you."
"Do not destroy our customs, for they are wiser and purer than yours. We have no desire to learn the useless knowledge that you mock us for not knowing. We have everything we need, everything that benefits us. We are content, and should this be ridiculed?"
"We are hungry, and we have food; we are cold, and we have clothes. You have been to our huts—what is missing there? If you seek comfort, go ahead! But you should also allow others to choose their own way. Moreover, what you strive for is only illusory wealth? If you pursue it like you do, when will we stop working? When will we enjoy ourselves? We try to reduce our daily workload because rest is better than anything else. Go back to your country and cause trouble and suffering! Do not disturb us with unrealistic demands and empty morals? Let us live peacefully!"