MELANESIA. 57 



spasm, accompanied by tremblings and involuntary motions. In this 

 state of ecstasy he is supposed to be possessed by the deity, and what 

 he says is looked upon as the direct response of the god to his 

 prayers. 



A priest frequently pretends to receive some communication from 

 the gods in his dreams, and then the people assemble to hear the 

 message. By this device he obtains a drink of kava, and often a pro- 

 pitiatory present, if his dreams are ominous of evil. 



All the people of a town frequently unite in offering a sacrifice to 

 their tutelar divinity, to secure his favour and protection, more espe- 

 cially from sickness. On such occasions the chief convenes his 

 townsmen, and says to them, " Let us make a feast to the god, that 

 we may not die." A tambu is immediately laid upon pigs, turtle, 

 and some other provisions, to preserve them for the ceremony. On 

 the day appointed, every man brings his pig or other offering, with a 

 whale's tooth, if he has one, to the temple. Here the chief advances 

 and offers his prayer in behalf of all, while the rest present their 

 gifts. The priest takes the whale's tooth from the chief, and answers 

 " Ke ndatou mbula vakandua," We shall all live as one, i. e., without 

 exception. He then supplicates the divinity to be propitious to the 

 people, after which they return to their homes, leaving the provisions 

 to be distributed at the pleasure of the priest. 



Human sacrifices are frequently offered by the high chief. They 

 are generally prisoners taken in war. Sometimes, however, they are 

 slaves procured by purchase from other tribes. As these, like other 

 sacrifices, are to be eaten by the priests arid people, they are usually 

 kept for some time, and fed, till they are thought to be in good condi- 

 tion. The victim is bound hand and foot, and roasted alive on heated 

 stones, after the usual fashion of cooking. The body is then taken 

 out, painted as for a festival, and carried to the temple to be presented 

 to the god, after which it is cut up and distributed to the people. 

 These horrible offerings are made on many occasions, and frequently 

 out of vainglory on the part of some chief. At those festivals when 

 ordinary persons are expected to bring a pig, Tanoa, the old king of 

 Mbau, always presents a human victim. When he launches a new 

 canoe, ten or more men are slaughtered on the deck, that it may be 

 soaked with human blood.* 



* From the Rev. David Cargill's account. 

 15 



