The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-05-22
Mbure House.

the people, who consult them on all occasion, but
are generally found acting in with the Chiefs
thus forming union of power which rules the ISL
ands. Each chief has his ambatl, who attends HIM
wherever he goes The people are grossly superstl-
tious, and there are few of their occupations In
which the ambati is not more or less concerned.
He is held sacred within his own district, being
considered the representative of the kalou, or spl
rit. Mr.. Hunt informed me, that the natives sell
dom separate the idea of the god from that of his
priest, who is viewed with almost divine reference.
My own observations, however, led to the conclu-
sion, that it is especially the case at Somuso-
mu, where Mr.. Hunt resides, and where the natives
are more savage if possible, in their customs, than
those of the other islands If intercourse with white
men has produced no other effect, it has lessened
their reverence for the priesthood tor, wherever
they have foreign visitors, there may be seen
marked change In this respect
The office OF ambatl Is usually hereditary, but In
some cases may be considered as sclfchosen Thus,
when a priest dies without male heirs, some one,
who Is ambitious to succeed him, and desirous OF
leading an idle life, will strive for the succession
To accomplish this end, he will cunnlngy assume
mysterious air, speaking incoherently, and pretend
ing that coming events have been foretold him by
the kalou, whom he claims to have seen and talked
with. If he should have made prediction IN rela-
ton to subject in which the people take an anxious
interest, and with which the event happens to cor
respond, the belief that his pretensions well
founded is adopted. Before he is acknowledged as
ambati, he, however, is made to undergo further
trial. and is required to show publicly that the kalou
is entering into him. TIE proof of this is considered
to lie in certain shiverngs, which appear TO be IN
voluntary, and in the performance Of which none but
an expert juggler could succeed.
had an opportunity, while at Levuka, OF seeing
performance of this description. Whippy gave
me notice Of it, having ascertaned that the Offering
which precedes the consultation, was IN preparation
This offering consisted of a hog, basket OF yams,
and quantity of bananas. In this the ambati
had received notice that he to be consulted, and
was attached to the person of Seru, (Tanoas son.
for whose purposes the prophetic intervention was
needed.
On such occasions the chiefs dress IN the morning
in their gala habits, and proceed with much cere-
mony to the mburc, where the priest 49, On some
occasions, previous notice is given him; at other
times he has warning OF their coming, until he
receives the offering.
The amount of this offering depends upon the in
clinati0n OF the party who makes 1t. The chiefs
and people seat themselves promlscuously IN SEMI
person who prepares the ava. This mode Of sitting
is intended as act of humiliation on the part OF
the chiefs, which is considered as acceptable to the
gods When all is prepared, the principalchlei, IT
the occasion be great one, presents whale 9
tooth. The priest receives this in his hands, and
contemplates it steadily, with downcast eyes, re-
manning perfectly quiet for some time. In a few
minutes distortions begin to be visible In his face,
indicating, they suppose, that the god Is entering
inc his body. His limbs next show violent mus
cuIar action, which increases until his whole frame
appears convulsed, and trembles as If under the In
fnence OF an ague fit; his eye-bas roll, and are
to and from his head; tears start from his eyes his
breast heaves; his lipsgrow hvid, and his utterance
confused In Short his whole appearance is that OF
maniac Finally, .profuse perspiration streams
from every pore, by which he is relieved, and the
symptoms gradually abate; after this, he again sinks
into attitude Of quiet gazing about HIM from side
to side, until suddenly striking the ground with
club he thus announces that the god has departed
from him. Whatever the priest utters while thus
excited, is received as direct response OF the gods
to the prayers Of those who made the offering. The
provisions of which the offering Is composed are
now shared out, and ava prepared. These are eaten
feast, and always eats voraciously, supplying, it
were the exhaustion he has previously undergone.
Ii is seldom, however, that his muscles resume at
once quiescent state and they more usually con-
tinue to twitch and tremble for some time after
wards.
When the candidate for the office Of ambati has
gone successfully through such ceremony, and the
response he gives from the god is admitted to be
and takes possession of the mbure 1t is, however,
easily 10 be seen, that il s the chief who IN fact
makes the appointment. The individual chosen IS
always on good terms with him, and is but his tool
E, bem ere
doubt that those who exercise the office OF ambah,
and go through the actions just mentioned, are con-
summate jugglers; but they often become so much
affected by their own efforts, that the motions OF the
muscles become in reality involuntary, and they
have every appearance Of being affected by super
natural agency
found ably illustrated in the report of our philoogist'
MIR. Hale.
tached household Of the chiefs in numbers Of from
The oil is procured by scrapng and squeezing nut
called makeu tho black prepared from the audi nut
Some say he has but one son. called Mautu the
ITO be continued.1