582 SYSTEMS OF CONSANGUINITY AND AFFINITY 



key of the whole system, explaining nearly all its difficulties, appears to be the same in both systems. 

 I should be very glad to know whether any of the other Indian tribes thus differ from the Seneeau ; 

 and in the mean while I will not cease from making diligent inquiry among all the tribes (Fijians 

 and others) to whom I have access. 



Quest. 1. (P. 15 of pamphlet.) Into how many tribes is the nation divided ? 



In order to answer this question clearly, it will be necessary to define what we mean by " tribe," 

 and what by "nation." I propose to take the people of Rewa as a Fijian "nation," -and the 

 divisions of this people as " tribes." The whole Fijian nation is split up into many of these smaller 

 nations, who speak different dialects ; and perhaps, in the case of the hill tribes, different languages. 

 I have been to a mountain tribe whose language was utterly unintelligible to a Fijian who accom- 

 panied me, although his town was not more than twenty or thirty miles distant, as the crow'flies; 

 and in many places, even on the coast, we (missionaries) have to employ an interpreter. 



The Rewa (= lofty, exalted) nation is divided into four tribes, viz :— 



1. Ta'le-lavu = great house. 



2. Nuku-ne-tambua = sand of whale's tooth. 



3. Sow-turanga = lord-kings. 



4. Tonga-veetc = Tongan Fijians. 



These are again subdivided into smaller tribes. 



Viile-lava. 



1. Na-rusa = destruction. 



2. Na-kdle = the moat. 



3. Na-tho-la'se = the grass coral.' 



4. Ni-vaka-thow. (The meaning doubtful. It may mean " tlie accusers," or the " causers of 

 gift-bringing.")'^ 



Nukunitavibua. 



1. Ma'ku-lu'va =nakcd grandchild. 



2. Na-ko'ro = the town.' 



Nd-aow-turdnga. 

 1. Na'volow = the canoe shed. , 2. Na-vu'sa-va'su = tribe of nephews. 



3. Na-ki-rawa = people of Rewa. 4. Ta'ro-ta'ro = inquirers. 



5. Na-simeete = the thieves. 6. Na-new = the cocoanuts. 



Tonga Veeti. 



1. T6nga-nu'kii-ne-tambii'a = Tongan Nukunetambuans. 



2. Na-vusa-narau = the tribe of Mosquitoes.* 



Quest 2. A man was not forbidden to marry a woman of his own tribe. 



Quest. 3. The children are of the father's tribe. 



Quests. 4, 5, 6 may be answered together, as follows : When the sachem dies, his successor is 

 chosen from among his kinsfolk, whom I write down in order of preference. 1. Elder brother of 

 deceased. 2. Younger brother. 3. Eldest son. 4. Elder brother's son. 5. Younger brother's 

 son. That is, the elder brother _^?-s/! ; failing all elder brothers, then a younger brother ; failing all 

 brothers, then sons in order according to age ; failing sons, then elder brother's sons, &c. He who 

 stands first in order may be passed over because of mental or bodily defect, or notoriously foolish 



' This tribe is extinct. 



> The Rewa sachems were chosen from 1, 2, and 3 of these trihes, hut never from the 4th (Ni-vaka-thow). Tliat 

 is, tlie royal family was of the Narusa tribe ; failing Narusa, then Nakali ; filling Nakali, then Natholase. 



' The war-kings are of these tribes. 



* These are not, strictly speaking, Rewans. They are a mixed race, the descendants of a band of Tongans who 

 came down to Fiji many generations ago, and settled down under the protection of Rewa. There is a most 

 curious legend about their coming to Fiji. I am strongly tempted to give it, but refrain. 



