Stirring scenes in savage lands : $b An account of the manners, customs, habits and recreations, peaceful and warlike, of the uncivilised worldGreenwood, James
History
Stirring scenes in savage lands : $b An account of the manners, customs, habits and recreations, peaceful and warlike, of the uncivilised world
Greenwood, James
Anthropology
“When the Rewa god found his women gone he again started for
Naicobocobo, where, as he wore no disguise, he was instantly
recognised, his canoe taken and dragged on shore by Rokoua’s men,
while he himself and his faithful friend, who again accompanied him,
were seized and made pig drivers. They were kept in this degrading
position a long time until a great festival took place in Vanua Levu
which Rokoua and his party attended. Arrived at the destination
the Rewa god and his friends were left in charge of the two canoes
that had carried the party thither, whilst all the others went on
shore to enjoy themselves; but as both friends were liked by all the
women they were kept amply supplied with food and other good things
during the festival. Nevertheless Ravovonicakaugawa was very much
cast down, and taking a kava root he offered it as a sacrifice, and
despairingly exclaimed, ‘Have none of the mighty gods of Rewa pity on
my misfortune?’ His friend’s body became instantly possessed by a
god, and began to tremble violently. ‘What do you want?’ asked the god
within. ‘A gale to frighten my oppressors out of their wits.’ ‘It shall
be granted,’ replied the god, and departed.
“The festival being over, Rokoua’s party embarked for Naicobocobo;
but it had hardly set sail when a strong northerly gale sprung up,
which nearly destroyed the canoes and terribly frightened those on
board. Still they reached Naicobocobo, where the Rewa god prayed for
an easterly wind to carry him home. All Rokoua’s men having landed and
left the women behind to carry the goods and luggage on shore, the
desired wind sprang up, and the two canoes, with sails set, started
for Rewa, where they safely arrived, and the goats and other property
were landed and distributed as presents among the people. But Rokoua
was not to be beaten thus. Although his two canoes had been taken there
was still the one taken from Ravovonicakaugawa on his second visit to
Naicobocobo: that was launched without delay and the fugitives pursued.
Arriving at Nukuilailai, Rokoua laid his spear on the deck of the canoe
and walked on shore, as he had done on a previous occasion. Landed, he
dropped his heavy club, thereby causing so loud a noise that it woke
all the people in Viti Levu. This noise did not escape the quick ear
of Naimilamila. ‘Be on your guard,’ she said to her new lord; ‘Rokoua
is coming; I heard his club fall; he can assume any shape he pleases,
be a dog, or a pig, or a woman; he can command even solid rocks to
split open and admit him; so be on your guard.’ Rokoua, meanwhile, met
a young girl from Nadoo on the road, carrying shrimps, landcrabs, and
taro to the house of the god of Rewa, and without hesitation he assumed
her shape, and she took his without being herself aware of it. Arriving
with his basket at his destination, Naiogabui asked, ‘Who is there?’
To which Rokoua replied, ‘It is me; I am from Nadoo, bringing food for
your husband.’ The supposed messenger was asked into the house, and
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Stirring scenes in savage lands : $b An account of the manners, customs, habits and recreations, peaceful and warlike, of the uncivilised world — John Shaqi
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account