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 Senecan ; 

 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. Ya'le-lavu = great house. 



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



3. Sow-turanga = lord-kings. 



4. Tonga-veete = Tongan Fijians. 



These are again subdivided into smaller tribes. 



Vale-lava. 



1. Na-riisS, = destruction. 



2. Na-kale = the moat. 



3. Na-th6-la'se = the grass coral. 1 



4. Ni-vaka-th6w. (The meaning doubtful. It MAY mean " the accusers," or the " causers of 

 gift-bringing.") 2 



Nulcunitamb ua. 



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



2. Na-ko'ro = the town. 3 



Na-sow-turdnga. 



1. NS/vol6w = 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-sime6te = the thieves. 6. Na-new = the cocoanuts. 



Tonga Veeti. 



1. Tonga-nil' ku-ne-tambu' 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 first ; 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 



1 This tribe is extinct. 



* The Rewa sachems were chosen from 1, 2, and 3 of these tribes, but never from the 4th (Ni-vaka-thow). That 

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



5 The war-kings are of these tribes. 



1 These are uot, 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. 



