BURIAL AND WITCHCRAFT 
superstition, but only a sort of vague and particularly 
childish belief in some kind of magic under the 
name of “Fi-fi.” This is a sort of divination, and 
is practised at night by a recognised medium, usually 
a girl, who is “‘Fi-fi,” and yet who is, at the same 
time, believed to represent this mysterious power 
known as “ Fi-fi.” 
Fi-fi is supposed to be a spirit always invisible 
and occasionally audible. It is considered a bringer 
of both good and bad luck, but although this is so 
no attempt is made to propitiate it. The cult indeed 
is so absurd that the wonder is that the people believe 
in it at all; yet, although there is apparently nothing 
supernatural on the face of it, the Papuans are willing 
to credit its manifestations. When a tribe wishes to 
know its luck, and when a hostile attack is imminent, 
it has recourse to the rites of Fi-fi; these are always 
celebrated at night. The crowd gathers round the 
fire, and the girl who is supposed to be the medium 
of the power is told off to communicate with Fi-fi; 
from that moment, by a peculiar confusion in their 
minds between the spirit and the medium, she becomes 
Fi-fi to all intents and purposes. She retires to some 
corner near at hand, where she is not seen, and from 
there she whistles in different keys. ‘The sound is 
made entirely at the medium’s discretion, but the 
moment it is heard the people exclaim that Fi-fi has 
come, and they judge by the whistling whether the 
omens are favourable or not. They would seem to 
have an idea of two Fi-fis, for the girl’s first call 
is two short notes repeated. No immediate answer 
comes, and the people round the fire remark casually to 
315 
