RELIGION, PAST AND PRESENT. 65 



Their account of the Creation is that all men are descended 

 from the same parents. The first-born was the Fijian ; but he 

 misbehaved himself, and was black, with but little clothing. 

 The next born was the Tongan, who was not quite so bad, and 

 was consequently whiter, and received more clothing. Papalagis, 

 or white men, were born last, but did not sin, and were there- 

 fore quite white, and had many clothes. The character attri- 

 buted to some of the Fijian gods was not such as to exercise 

 an elevating influence on their worshippers. For instance, a 

 certain Roko Bati-dita is described as a man with wings on 

 which are claws to catch victims with. Kohola, had eight arms, 

 which indicated his mechanical skill ; Mataivalu boasted eight 

 eyes, denoting wisdom; Ra Kambasanga had two bodies, one 

 male and one female, united like Siamese twins ; Kanusimana 

 used to spit miracles ; Naitono was a leper. A god named 

 Ndanthina was accused of stealing women of rank and beauty ; 

 while another, called Batimona, was named brain-eater. An 

 other deity named Ravuravu was a murderer ; while a rival, 

 Mainatavasari, was 'fresh from slaughter.' Besides these, there 

 were a host of gods and demi-gods, all supposed to have special 

 functions and tutelary powers. The Fijians were never actual 

 idolaters, though they believed that certain birds and fishes 

 were the favoured abodes of their gods, and entitled therefore 

 to especial veneration. 



The priest, or ambati, was a most important personage, and 

 no chief's establishment was complete without one. The office 

 was generally hereditary. No priest would ever approach the 

 gods unless he had received the customary presents, which 

 generally consisted of a whale's tooth, or of native grog, kava. 

 \. great religious festival was held every November, lasting 

 four days, during which the gods were invoked for a plentiful 

 harvest, and other favours. 



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