Fiji and the Fijians

Part I

The information contained in Part I. of this volume is the result of the patient and intelligent research of the Rev. Thomas "Williams, of Adelaide, during his thirteen years' residence as a Wesley an Missionary in Fiji. Some additions have been made of facts which have transpired since Mr. Williams gathered and arranged the fruit of his own personal observations and inquiries.

As to the spelling and pronunciation of Fijian words, some few remarks are necessary. The general practice has hitherto been to represent — often very imperfectly — the sounds of the Fijian by English vowels. Captain Cook used this method with all Polynesian words ; but, in his time, the Oceanic languages had not been reduced to a written form. Now that this has been effected in many instances, the practice just named must necessarily lead to misconception and confusion.

The Missionaries who have given to these languages a fixed orthography, have wisely adopted the Roman alphabet, and a system of vowels having the Italian power, which met the requirements of the case far better than the almost exceptional sounds of the English vowels.

As regards the consonants, the Missionaries found that the Fijian did not require all the characters used by ourselves : some of these were therefore rejected, while some were employed where we have recourse to a clumsy combination. Thus, for instance, they have taken the unnecessary C to express the soft dental Th.

There are no sounds in the Fijian peculiar to itself ; but it has characteristic compound consonants. These are Mb, Nd, Ng iv

PREFACE.

and Ng-g. That is to say, the b is never pronounced without rn preceding ; the d never without n, and so on.

In this work, therefore, —

1. The vowels in Fijian words have the Italian pronunciation : a, as in father / e, like a in mate; i, as in machine/ o, as indole; u, as oo in pool. All the vowels are sounded.

2. The consonants have the same power as in English ; except the following : c represents th, as in that / B — nib / D — nd; G — ng ; Q — ng-g. Thus Cama is pronounced thama ; Bole — mbole ; Dalo — ndalo ; Gaga — nganga ; Qia — nggia.

3. In proper names only these peculiar combinations have, throughout the book, been represented by their English equivalents. Thus, Bau is spelt Mbau ; and the name of its King, Cakobau, is written Thakombau.

For further information on these points, the reader is referred to the Chapter on Language, for which he is indebted to the Rev. John Dury Geden, of Didsbury.

This work also owes much to Miss Elizabeth Farmer, whose clever pencil has prepared most of the engravings which embellish its pages. G. S. H.

Part II

The material of Part II., embracing the Mission History, has been supplied by the Eev. James Calvert, who laboured in Fiji for seventeen years. For the facts alone is he responsible. It is necessary to state this, as there are remarks made with reference to himself in these pages, to the insertion of which his own modesty would never allow him to consent.

A large amount of circumstantial detail has been left out, in consequence of the limited space at the Editor's disposal. In some cases it has been found difficult to give the whole of even the necessary outline. S. R.

London, November, 1858.

Contents

PART L

THE ISLANDS AND THEIR INHABITANTS.

PAGE

CHAPTER I.— Fur 1

Discovery— Early History— White Settlers— Paddy Connor— General Description — Yathata and Vatuvara — Vrulanga — Mothe — Lakemba — Totoya, Moala, Nairai, Koro, Ngau, Mbengga— Matuku— Mbau— Taviuni— Kandavu— Vanua Levu— Na Viti Levu — Comparative Extent— Volcanic Formation -Soil— Reefs — Coral Formation— Natural Havens — Bays — Winds— Climate — Temperature— Rain— Divisions of the Group.

CHAPTER II.— Obigij? and Polity 13

Eastern Origin— Government— Supremacy— Na Ulivou— Tanoa— Mbau — Qali and Bati — Legend of Somosomo — Homage by the Somosomans — Power despotic — Council of State — Oppression — Kings — Succession — Induction to Royalty — Sacredness of the King's Person — His domes'.ic Life — Marks of Royalty — Instances of Despotism — Officers — Mata ni Vanua — 0 na Mata — Retirement and Election of a Mata — Adherence to Forms — Justice— Punishment — Execution of the Vasu of Vuna — Cases of Cruel Punishment — Vicarious Suffering— Soro — Its five Kinds— Its Abuse — Social Grades — Bank— Polygamy of the Kings — Native Vanity— Distinctive Titles — Tui Viti— Inferior Chiefs — Vasu — Reception of a Vasu — Jealousy between Persons of Rank— Homage to the Chiefs — The Tama — Etiquette — Bale Muri — Tax-paying — Tribute — Presentation of a Canoe.

CHAPTER III. — Wae 33

Incorrect Notions on the warlike Disposition of the Fijians— Causes of War — Preparation— Offering to the Gods — Gathering an Army — Diplomacy— The Military— Singular Custom— Taga— Bolebole — Incentives to Bravery— Fastnesses— Fortresses — A Siege — Assault— Sally— Flight— >igoneseuseu— Taunts exchanged— Drewai Sasa— Native Agility — Stratagem — Wangkawai — Naingani and Namosimalua — Numbers killed — Bloodshed at Rewa — "The Chieftain's Leap * — Sacking a Town — Concealment of Property — A pitched Battle — Diminution of War in consequence of Fire-arms — Cruelty to Captives — Return of the Conquerors — Horrible Scenes — Treating for Peace — Expensive Friends — Honorary Names — Ceremony of Anointing — Arms — Clubs — Spears — Bows— Slings — Ulas — Titles of Clubs — True Bravery rare — Tui Wainunu — Pride a Cause of War — Empty Boasting.