The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1845-05-29
THE CANNlBALISM OF THE FEE
JEANS.

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The eating of human flesh is not confined
10 cases ofsacriice for religious purpose, but
is practised from habit and taste. The ex-
%istence Of cannibalism, independent of SUI
perstitious notions, has been doubted by many.
There can be no question that, although it
may have originated as a sacred rite, il is
continued in the Feejee group for the mere
pleasure o eating human flesh as a food
Their fondness for ii viii be understood from
the custom they have of sending PORTIONS of
II to their ftiends at a distance, as acceptable
presents; and the gift is eaten, even il de
composition has begun before it is received.
So highly do they esteem this food, that the
greatest praise that they can bestow upon a
delicacy is TO say that il is as tender as a
dead man. Even their sacrifices are made
more frequent not merely to CRAFTY
feelings of revenge, butte indulge their taste
GE. this horrid food. In respect to this pro-
penslty they effect no disguise; | bave- my
self frequently spoken 10 them CONCERNING
it; and received but one answer both from
the chief aud common people, that it was
rinaka (good) The bodies ofenemies slain
in battle are always eaten. The Feejeeans
will, however, banquetupon the flesh ofiIeir
dearest friends; aud it is even related that
in times of scarcity, families will make
an exchange of children for this horrid pur.
pose. The flesh of women is preferred to
that Of men; and they consider the flesh
of the arm above the elbow, and of
the thigh, as the choicest parts, The wo-
men are not allowed to eatit openly; but it
lis said that the wives of the chiefs do moi
partake Of it in private. II is also forbidden
10 the Kaisi, or common people, unless there
be a great quantity; but they have no oppor-
tunity OF picking the bones. As a farther
instance of these cannibal propensities, and
to show that the sacrifice Of human life to
crafty their passions and appetites is almost
Of daily occurrence, a feast frequently takes
place among the chiefs, to which each is re-
Iquired to bring a pig.
On these occasions Tanoa, from pride and
fascination, always furnishes a human body.
A whales tooth is about the price Of a hui.
man life, even when The party slain is of rank
as will be shown by the following anecdote
Rivaletia, the youngest son. of Tanoa, while
passing along the north end of Oralon in bis
canoe, deserted a fishing party. He atonce
determined to possess himself of what they
E had taken; and for this purpose dashed in a
mong them, and fred his musket. The sho
killed a young man, who proved to be a ne
phew of TUT Levuka, the Chief Oralau, ant
was recognised by some of Rivaletta's fol
lowers. This discovery did not proven
their carrying the body to Amban to be feast
ed upon, but in order TO pgeventit from bein!
, known there, the face was dis6gured b,
broiling it in the fire in the canoe. Tanoa
however, soon became aware of the fact, ant
forthwith sent a whales tooth TO Tui Levu
ka, as the value of his loss, together with
number of little fingers cut from the peopl
Of Amban, as a propitiatory offering. TIL
remuneration was received by Tui Levuk
as sufficient, and no more notice was takeI
Of the matter.-Capt. Wilkes.