CUSTOMS OP THE FEEJEE GROUP. 89 



of Ndengei. These preside over separate tribes, by whose priests 

 they are consulted. They have no jurisdiction beyond their own 

 tribe, and possess no power but what is deputed to them by superior 

 deities. 



In addition to these benignant beings, they believe in malicious 

 and mischievous gods. These reside in their Hades, which they call 

 Mbulu (underneath the world). There reigns a cruel tyrant, with 

 grim aspect, whom they name Lothia. Samuialo (destroyer of 

 souls) is his colleague, and sits on the brink of a huge fiery cavern, 

 into which he precipitates departed spirits. 



These notions, although the most prevalent, are not universal. 

 Thus : the god of Muthuata is called Radinadina. He is considered 

 as the son of Ndengei. Here also Rokora, the god of carpenters, 

 is held in honour; and they worship also Rokavona, the god of fisher- 

 men. 



The people of Lakemba believe that departed souls proceed to 

 Namukaliwu, a place in the vicinity of the sea. Here they for a 

 time exercise the same employments as when in this life, after which 

 they die again, and go to Mbulu, where they are met by Samuialo. 

 This deity is empowered to seize and hurl into the fiery gulf all those 

 whom he dislikes. On Kantavu they admit of no god appointed to 

 receive departed souls, but suppose that these go down into the sea, 

 where they are examined by the great spirit, who retains those he 

 likes, and sends back the others to their native island, to dwell among 

 their friends. Another belief is, that the departed spirit goes before 

 the god Taseta, who, as it approaches, darts a spear at it. If the 

 spirit exhibits any signs of fear, it incurs the displeasure of the god, 

 but if it advances with courage, it is received with favour. 



On Vanua-levu it is believed that the souls of their deceased 

 friends go to Dimba-dimba, a point of land which forms Ambau Bay. 

 Here they are supposed to pass down into the sea, where they are 

 taken into two canoes by Rokavona and Rokora, and ferried across 

 into the dominions of Ndengei. When it blows hard, and there are 

 storms of thunder, lightning, and rain, the natives say that the canoes 

 are getting ready. 



Some few of the natives worship an evil spirit, whom they call 

 Ruku batin dua (the one-toothed Lord). He is represented under the 

 form of man, having wings instead of arms, and as provided with 

 claws to seize his victims. His tooth is described as being large 

 enough to reach above the top of his head; it is alleged he flies 

 through the air emitting sparks of fire. He is said to roast in fire all 



vol. in. 23 



