90 CUSTOMS OF THE FEEJEE GROUP. 



the wicked who appertain to him. Those who do not worship him, 

 call him Kalou-kana, or Kalou-du. 



At Ttewa, it is believed that the spirits first repair to the residence 

 of Ndengei, who allots some of them to the devils for food, and sends 

 the rest away to Mukalou, a small island off Rewa, where they remain 

 until an appointed day, after which they are all doomed to annihila- 

 tion. The judgments thus passed by Ndengei, seem to be ascribed 

 rather to his caprice than to any desert of the departed soul. 



This idea of a second death is illustrated by the following anecdote, 

 related by Mr. Vanderford. This officer resided, for several months 

 after his shipwreck, with Tanoa, King of Ambau. During this time 

 there was a great feast, at which many chiefs were present, who 

 remained to sleep. Before the close of the evening amusements, one 

 of them had recounted the circumstances of his killing a neighbouring 

 chief. During the night he had occasion to leave the house, and his 

 superstition led him to believe that he saw the ghost of his victim, at 

 which he threw his club, and, as he asserted, killed it. Returning to 

 the house, he aroused the king and all the other inmates, to whom he 

 related what he had done. The occurrence was considered by all as 

 highly important, and formed the subject of due deliberation. In the 

 morning the club was found, when it was taken, with great pomp and 

 parade, to the mbure, where it was deposited as a memorial. All 

 seemed to consider the killing of the spirit as a total annihilation of 

 the person. 



Among other forms of this superstition regarding spirits, is that of 

 transmigration. Those who hold it, think that spirits wander about 

 the villages in various shapes, and can make themselves visible or 

 invisible at pleasure ; that there are particular places to which they 

 resort, and in passing these they are accustomed to make a propitiatory 

 offering of food or cloth. This form of superstition is the cause of an 

 aversion to go abroad at night, and particularly when it is dark. 



It is also a general belief, that the spirit of a celebrated chief may, 

 after death, enter into some young man of the tribe, and animate him 

 to deeds of valour. Persons thus distinguished are pointed out as 

 highly favoured ; in consequence, they receive great respect, and their 

 opinions are treated with much consideration, besides which, they 

 have many personal privileges. 



In general, the passage from life to death is considered as one from 

 pain to happiness, and I was informed, that nine out of ten look 

 forward to it with anxiety, in order to escape from the infirmities of 

 old age, or the sufferings of disease. 



