82 CUSTOMS OP THE FEEJEE GROUP. 



told me openly that he would have the musket also. While at 

 Levuka, he appropriated to himself a canoe and its contents, leaving 

 the owner to find his way back to Ambau as he could. The latter 

 made no complaint, and seemed to consider the act as one of course. 



When the Vasu-togai or Vasu-levu of a town or district visits it, 

 he is received with honours even greater than those paid to the chief 

 who rules over it. All bow in obedience to his will, and he is received 

 with clapping of hands and the salutation, " O sa vi naka lako mai 

 vaka turanga Ratu Vasu-levu," (Hail! good is the coming hither of 

 our noble Lord Nephew.) 



When the Vasu-levu of Mbenga goes thither, honours almost 

 divine are rendered him, for he is supposed to be descended in a 

 direct line from gods. Mbenga formerly played a very conspicuous 

 part in the affairs of the group, but of late years it happened to get 

 into difficulties with Rewa, in consecpaence of which Ngaraningiou 

 attacked it, conquered its inhabitants, and massacred many of them. 

 Since that time it has had little or no political influence. 



The hostile feelings of the different tribes makes war the principal 

 employment of the males throughout the group; and where there is so 

 strong a disposition to attack their neighbours, plausible reasons for 

 beginning hostilities are not difficult to find. The wars of the Fee- 

 jeeans usually arise from some accidental affront or misunderstanding, 

 of which the most powerful party takes advantage to extend his 

 dominions or increase his wealth. This is sometimes accomplished 

 by a mere threat, by which the weaker party is terrified into submis- 

 sion to the demand for territory or property. 



When threats fail, a formal declaration of war is made by an 

 officer, resembling in his functions the heralds (feciales) of the Ro- 

 mans. Every town has one of these, who is held in much respect, 

 and whose words are always taken as true. When he repairs to the 

 town of the adverse party, where he is always received with great 

 attention, he carries with him an ava root, which he presents to the 

 chiefs, saying, " Korai sa tatau, sa kalu," (I bid you goodbye, it is 

 war.) The usual answer is, " Sa vi naka, sa lako talo ki," (it is well, 

 return home.) Preparations are then made on both sides, and when 

 they mean to have a fair open fight, a messenger is sent from one 

 party to ask the other, what town they intend to attack first. The 

 reply is sometimes true, but is sometimes intended merely as a cover 

 for their real intentions. In the latter case, however, it rarely suc- 

 ceeds ; in the former, both parties repair to the appointed place. 



