204 



DivUiun of tribc» and 

 runk. 



res to ms or the feejee group. Fe ' ju0 , SS3«iS , ?S?° laB 1,1 



greatly exaggerated w likely to be believed, lu 

 illustration of tlie latter trait, I was told by Paddy 

 Gomel, that he never told them the truth when lie 

 wished to be believed, for of it they were always 

 incredulous. He maintained that it was abso- 

 lutely necessary to tell them lies in order U> receive 

 credence. 



Covetousncss is probably one of the strongest 

 features of tlie Feejeean character, and is the in- 

 centive to many crimes. 1 have, however, been 

 assured, that a white man might travel with safety 

 from one end of an island to the other, provided he 

 had nothing about him to excite (heir desire of 

 acquisition. This may be true, but it is impossible 

 to say that even the most valueless article of our 

 manufactures might not lw coveted by them. With 

 nil this risk of being put to death, hospitable enter- 

 tainment and reception in their houses is almost 

 certain, and w bile in them, perfect security may be 

 relied on. The same native who within a few- 

 yards of his house would murder a coining or 

 departing guest for sake of a knife or a hatchet, 

 will defend him at the risk of his own life as soon 

 as he has passed his threshold. 



The people of the Feejee (J roup are divided into 

 a numher of tribes, independent and often hostile 

 to etch other. In each tri he great and marked 

 distinctions of rank exist. The classes which are 

 readily distinguished are as follows : I. kings; 

 2. chiefs; 3. warriors; 4. landholders (matanivanuu); 

 5. slaves (kai-si). The hist have nominally little 

 influence; but in this group, as in other countries, 

 the mere force of numbers is sullieieut to counter- 

 balance or overcome the force of the prescriptive 

 rights of the higher and less numerous classes. This 

 has been the case at Ambau, where the people 

 at no distant period rose against and drove out 

 their kings. 



Among the most singular of the Feejee customs, 

 and of whose origin it is dilfieult to form a rational 

 opinion, is that which gives certain rights to a 

 member of another tribe, who is called Vnsu 

 (nephew), To give an idea of the character ol tin* 

 right, and the manner in which it is exercised, ! 

 shall cite the case of Tnn<>a. lie, although the 

 most powerful chief in the group, feels compelled to 

 comply with, and acknowledges Thokauuiito (better 

 known to foreigners as Mr. Phillips) as Vasn t< gni 

 ■>f Ambau, who has in consequence the right of 

 sending thither for any thing ho may want, and 

 even from Tanon himself. On Tnnoa's first visit to 

 me, among other presents, 1 gave him one of Hall's 

 patent rifles. This Thokanaut<j heard of, and do- 

 tcrmined to have it, and Tnnoa had no other mode 

 of preserving it than by sending it away from 

 Ambau. When Rivaletta, Tanoa's youngest son, 

 visited me one day at the observatory, he had the 

 rifle with him, and told me that his father had put 

 it into his hands, in order that it might not bu de- 

 manded. 



Afterwards, when Thokanauto himself paid me a 

 visit, he had in his possession one of the watches 

 that had been given to Seru, and told me openly 

 that he would have tho musket also. While at 

 Levuka, he appropriated to himself a canoe and its 

 Contents, leaving the owner to find his way Lack to 

 Ambau as h© could. The latter made no com- 

 plaint, and seemed to consider the act as one of 

 course. 



When the Vusu-togai or Vasu levu of a town or 



district visits it, he is received with honours even 

 greater than those paid to the chief who rules over 

 it. All bow in obedience to his will, and he is re* 

 coned with clapping of hands and the salutation, 

 ■• <• sa vi naka lako mai vaka turanga Rata Vasu- 

 levu," (Hail ! good is the coining hither of our 

 noble Lord .Nephew). 



When the Vasu-levu of Mbenga goes thither, 

 honours almost dt\ iue arc rendered him, for he is 

 supposed to be descended in a direct line from tods. 

 Mbenga formerly played » very conspicuous part 

 in the affaire of the group, but of late years it hap- 

 pened to get into difficulties with Rewa, in conse- 

 quence of which Ngaraningiou attacked it, con- 

 quered its inhabitants, and massacred many of 

 them. Since that time it has had little or do 

 political influence. 



Tin; hostile feelings of tho different tribes makes 

 war the principal employment of the males through- 

 out tin group; and where there is so strong n dis- 

 position to attack their neighbours, plausible reasons 

 for beginning hostilities are not difficult to hud. 

 The wars of the Feejeeana usually arise from some 

 accidental affront or misunderstanding, of which the 

 most powerful party takes advantage to extend h - 

 dominions or increase his wealth. This is some- 

 times accomplished by a mere threat, by which the 

 weaker party is terrified into Mibinisfeiou. to the de- 

 mand for territory or property. 



When threats fail, a formal declaration of war is 

 made by an officer, resembling in his functions the 

 heralds (feciales) of the Romans. Every town has 

 one of these, who is held in much respect, and 

 whose words are always taken as true. When he 

 repairs to the town of the adverse party, where he 

 is always received with great attention, he carries 

 with him an ava root, which he presents to the 

 chiefs, saying, "Koiai sa tatau, sa kalu" (I bid 

 y ou goodbye, it is w ar). The usual answer is, "Sa 

 \i naka, sa lako ltdo ki"{Jl is w. II. return home). 

 Preparations arc then made on both sides, and 

 when they mean to have a fair open light, a mes- 

 senger is sent from one party to ask the other, what 

 town llicy intend to attack first. The reply is some- 

 limes true, hut is sometimes intended merely as a 

 cover for their real intentions. In the latter case, 

 however, it rarely succeeds; in the former, both 

 parlies repair to the appointed place. 



In preparing for war, and during its continuance, 

 they abstain from the company of women ; and 

 there were instances related to me, where this ah- 

 stuioncc had continued for several years. 



When a body made up of several tribes has 

 approached near the enemy, the vunivalu, or 

 general, makes a speech to each separate tribe. Iu 

 i hi- In dues all in his power by praises, taunts, or 

 exhortations, as be thiuks best suited to the pur- 

 pose, to excite them to deeds of bravery. To one 

 lie will talk in the following manner • 



" Vou say you are a brave people. You have 

 made me great promises, now we will see how you 

 will keep them. To me you look more like slaves 

 than fighting men.* 1 



Or thus : " Here are these strangers come to 

 fight with us. Let us see who ore the best 

 men." 



To another tribe he will say, " Where do you 

 come from !'* Some one of the tribe starts up, and 

 striking the ground with his club, replies by naming 

 its place of residence. The vunivnlu tlten con- 



