FEJEE GROUP. 179 



further misery. The little finger is also often cut off on the 

 death of a great chief. The usual symbol of mourning for men 

 is short hair or beard — they seldom cut both. The women burn 

 themselves to blisters on the neck and breast ; this is done 

 by holding a piece of ignited tapa over the part to be burned. 

 Funerals among the higher classes are invariably followed by 

 feasts and ava-drinking. 



The government is decidedly despotic. The will of the 

 chief is the law, and instant death would be dealt out to any 

 one found opposing it. The common people are looked upon 

 as slaves, and may be sold and destroyed by their masters 

 without remonstrance or appeal. The victims offered as sacri- 

 fices to the gods are generally selected from this class. They 

 are also slaughtered in great numbers when a great chief dies, 

 in respect to him. 



Their religious creed* is in substance as follows: — That 

 there is one Great Spirit who sees and knows all things, and 

 who has the power of dispensing good and evil to mankind, 

 according to their merits ; that there are many other spirits 

 besides who have the same power, but not in so great a 

 degree ; that dogs, cats, guns, stones, trees, canoes, rivers — 

 in fact, everything — has a soul as well as man ; that certain 

 persons are inspired ; that there are no future rewards and 

 punishments, but that punishment for crime will be received 

 in this world only, and the future is one of perfect and eternal 

 happiness. They also firmly believe that omens are indica- 

 tions from the gods themselves to man, and spells and charms 

 are effective means of getting the gods to accord to the wishes 

 of the maledictor. The priests are called " Ambatis," and 

 exercise great influence over the lower classes. They are 



♦There are missionaries residing at Bewa and Somu Tomou, but as yet they have 

 made no converts. 



