82 CUSTOMS OF THE FEEJEE GROUP. 
Tribes that do not possess such fastnesses, are compelled to take 
refuge under the protection of some powerful chief, in consideration 
of which they are bound to aid their protectors in case of war. They 
are summoned to do this by a messenger, who carries a whale’s tooth, 
and sometimes directs the number of men they are to send. A refusal 
would bring war upon themselves, and is therefore seldom ventured. 
There is, however, a recent instance in which such aid was refused 
with impunity by Tui Levuka, who was persuaded by the white resi- 
dents* to disobey a summons sent from Ambau. Having done this, 
the people of Levuka felt it necessary to prepare for defence, by re- 
pairing their stone walls and provisioning their stronghold in the moun- . 
tains. ‘They thus stood upon their guard for a long time, but were not 
attacked. 
The religion of the Feejeeans, and the practices which are founded 
upon it, differ materially from those of the lighter-coloured Polynesian 
people. 
The tradition given by the natives of the origin of the various races 
is singular, and not very flattering to themselves. All are said to have 
been born of one pair of first parents. ‘The Feejee was first born, but 
acted wickedly and was black: he therefore received but little clothing. 
Tonga was next born; he acted less wickedly, was whiter, and had 
more clothes given him. White men, or Papalangis, came last; they 
acted well, were white, and had plenty of clothes. 
They have a tradition of a great flood or deluge, which they call 
Walavu-levu. Their account of it is as follows: after the islands had 
been peopled by the first man and woman, a great rain took place, by 
which they were finally submerged; but, before the highest places 
were covered by the waters, two large double canoes made their ap- 
pearance; in one of these was Rokora, the god of carpenters, in the 
other Rokola, his head workman, who picked up some of the people, 
and kept them on board until the waters had subsided, after which they 
were again landed on the island. It is reported that in former times 
canoes were always kept in readiness against another inundation. 
The persons thus saved, eight in number, were landed at Mbenga, 
where the highest of their gods is said to have made his first appear- 
ance. By virtue of this tradition, the chiefs of Mbenga take rank 
before all others, and have always acted a conspicuous part among the. 
* This is not the only instance in which the white residents have exercised a salutary 
influence. It is fortunate for the natives that those who have settled among them have 
been principally of such a character as has tended to their improvement. There are, 
however, some exceptions, by whose bad example the natives have heen led into many 
EXCEESES. 
