60 ETHNOGRAPHY. 



Besides the relations of actual subjection and spiritual inferiority, 

 there is yet another, termed mbati, which is that of a dependent ally 

 to a protecting power, such, for example, as that which the Confede- 

 ration of the Rhine held to the French empire, and some of the states 

 of India hold to England. Rakiraki, a populous town and district 

 on the north coast of Viti-levu, is thus mbati to Mbau, recruiting 

 its forces in time of war, and receiving its protection when attacked. 



Another relation between the different governments is that supplied 

 by the intermarriages of the head chiefs. A chief in one town, whose 

 mother is a member of the ruling family of another town, is said to be 

 vasu (literally, nephew) to the latter. Thus Tanoa's mother was the 

 daughter of a king of Rewa, and he is therefore a vasu to that city. 

 The influences and privileges which accompany this relation are very 

 great. A vasu has nearly as much power in the state to which his 

 mother belonged as in his own. In case of war with another power, 

 he is sure of the assistance of his connexions, not precisely from the 

 influence of family feeling, but in accordance with a long-established 

 rule, which renders such assistance an imperative obligation. More- 

 over, should hostilities break out between two states, in one of which 

 is a chief who is vasu to the other, he can pass between the two with 

 perfect safety, and is received in the hostile town with as much 

 respect and confidence as in time of peace. It is evident that such 

 a relation, singular as it is, must contribute greatly to lighten the evils 

 of war among this quarrelsome and sanguinary people. 



Another relation, somewhat similar to that of vasu, though of less 

 importance, is that of tau-vu. It has been before stated that nearly 

 every district and town in Viti has its own guardian divinity. In 

 some cases, however, it happens that two towns are under the protec- 

 tion of the same god. A citizen of one is said to be tau-vu to those 

 of the other, which may be rendered fellow-worshipper. This con- 

 nexion gives many of the same privileges as that of vasu. 



A knowledge of the internal divisions of the several states is also 

 important to a right understanding of the intricacies of Vitian politics. 

 There are usually in each large town two or more classes, or rather 

 parties, among the inhabitants. Thus in Mbau these are the Kai- 

 vale-levu (literally, people of the great house or palace), who form the 

 king's party, and are especially attached to his service. The Mbati- 

 tombi are the adherents of the family of that name, who formerly 

 possessed the supreme power, of which they were deprived by the 

 grandfather of the present king. The Kai-Mbau are the independent 



