CUSTOMS OF THE FEEJEE GROUP. 87 
with the chiefs, thus forming a union of power which rules the islands. 
Each chief has his ambati, who attends him wherever he goes. The 
people are grossly superstitious, and there are few of their occupations 
in which the ambati is not more or less concerned. He is held sacred 
within his own district, being considered as the representative of the 
kalou, or spirit. Mr. Hunt informed me, that the natives seldom 
separate the idea of the god from that of his priest, who is viewed with 
almost divine reverence. My own observations, however, led to the 
conclusion, that it is more especially the case at Somu-somu, where 
Mr. Hunt resides, and where the natives are more savage, if possible, 
in their customs, than those of the other islands. If intercourse with 
white men has produced no other effect, it has lessened their reverence 
for the priesthood ; for, wherever they have foreign visiters, there may 
be seen a marked change in this respect. 
The office of ambati is usually hereditary, but in some cases may 
be considered as self-chosen. Thus, when a priest dies without male 
heirs, some one, who is ambitious to succeed him, and desirous of 
leading an idle life, will strive for the succession. To acccomplish 
this end, he will cunningly assume a mysterious air, speaking inco- 
herently, and pretending that coming events have been foretold him 
by the kalou, whom he claims to have seen and talked with. If he 
should have made a prediction in relation to a subject in which the 
people take an anxious interest, and with which the event happens to 
correspond, the belief that his pretensions are well founded is adopted. 
Before he is acknowledged as ambati, he, however, is made to undergo 
a further trial, and is required to show publicly that the kalou is enter- 
ing into him. The proof of this is considered to lie in certain shiver- 
ings, which appear to be involuntary, and in the performance of which 
none but an expert juggler could succeed. 
I had an opportunity, while at Levuka, of seeing a performance of 
this description. Whippy gave me notice of it, having ascertained 
that the offering which precedes the consultation, was in preparation. 
This offering consisted of a hog, a basket of yams, and a quantity of 
bananas. In this case the ambati had received notice that he was to 
be consulted, and was attached to the person of Seru, (Tanoa’s son,) 
for whose purposes the prophetic intervention was needed. 
On such occasions the chiefs dress in the morning in their gala 
habits, and proceed with much ceremony to the mbure, where the 
priest is. On some occasions, previous notice is given him; at other 
times he has no warning of their coming, until he receives the offering. 
The amount of this offering depends upon the inclination of the 
party who makes it. The chiefs and people seat themselves promiscu- 
