AbsentSubm.[16]+++++Total
No. %No. %No. %No. %No. %
Total sample0 061 7219 27533 650 0813
Interior0 026 1727 18100 650 0153
East0 05 424 2091 760 0120
Coast0 011 563 30135 650 0209
N.W.0 07 921 2751 650 079
Fiji II0 00 00 01 1132 92133
Solomons0 00 00 05 680 9485

Head hair quantity is pronounced in the majority of Fijians (65 per cent); it is moderate in 27 per cent and submedium in 7 per cent. Howells describes nearly all the Fijians as having very pronounced head hair—99 per cent, which would appear to be a personal difference in appraisal. In any case, the two series agree that Fijians have hair of more than moderate quantity. The Melanesians of the Solomons are also characterized by much head hair.

Regionally, the only significant variation in this trait is shown in the east, where more individuals have a submedium designation. In the absence of age data, this contrast cannot be fairly interpreted.

Hair Length

It might be observed here that although hair length was not included in this survey, on the basis of personal but unrecorded observation, the Fijians conform to the Melanesian pattern. Most Fijian men now cut their hair short in the Western style, but some still do not. Women generally trim their hair but not short. The natural length of head hair is intermediate between the short-haired African Negroes and the long-haired Caucasians and Mongolians.

Baldness

AbsentSubm.++++++Total
No. %No. %No. %No. %No. %
Total sample731 9040 330 412 10 0813
Interior122 8012 812 87 50 0153
East112 933 34 31 10 0120
Coast194 9310 54 21 00 0209
N.W.72 911 13 43 40 079

The lack of age correlations also limits the value of data on baldness, but some meaning can nevertheless be extracted. Regardless of age, with an incidence of pronounced baldness of 1 per cent among all adult males and of 4 per cent for a moderate condition, it is a clear indication that Fijians are not prone to loss of head hair.

Beard Quantity