FIJI IN CANNIBAL DAYS. 73 



generally two or more prongs. I managed to get one, but 

 they are becoming very scarce in Fiji. Mr. Harding told 

 me that the topic of cannibalism once started, it fairly ran 

 away with his coloured friends ; the favourite joints, the rich 

 yellow fat, the tender juicy meat, and the exquisite flavour, 

 were so dilated on with only half-suppressed ferocity and 

 longing their eyes sparkling and teeth gleaming with horrible 

 suggestiveness that, dizzy and sick, he peremptorily changed 

 the subject, and moved an adjournment into the cool evening 

 air. 



It is a fact that while cannibals would not touch ordinary 

 meat in the least tainted, they would feast off bukalo in a most 

 advanced stage of decomposition. In the northern part of 

 Vanua Levu, I obtained some of the large dishes used for 

 luJcalo feasts. 



Having on several occasions been present at meke-mekes 

 (or dances) where a ' war ' was acted, I distinctly remember the 

 almost too faithful representation the natives gave of blood- 

 thirsty ferocity when fighting. The savage glare of their eyes 

 the pearl-like teeth clenched with vindictive firmness the 

 piercing war-cries resounding through the still night air, while 

 the clubs, as they rose and fell in mimic battle, kept perfect 

 time with the weird music. This was a game got up to pass 

 away the evening of a few idle papafagis. It seemed to me, 

 as a novice, that it must be very like the reality; and 

 having seen it, I can quite understand the terrible scenes 

 which used to frequently occur in the men-eating days. The 

 semi-military advance of the conquerors raising their cruel 

 shouts their faces expressive of a bloodthirsty anticipation of 

 the cannibal feast to come the clubbed corpse of the victim 

 borne along tied to a pole are easily realised by anyone who 

 has seen a vfai-meke. 



