The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1872-03-28
FIJIAN CANNIBALS.

There have recently arrived in this
country, from Ma Viii Levu, one of the
largest islands of the Polyuesan Archipe
lago, Canuibals-one woman aud three
men. Otavah, the woman, is grand
daughter of Thokambou, King of FIJI Is
land, and is therefore a Princess She
is an Intelligent looking woman of TWEEN
ty years of age, having received an educa
tion from the Wesleyan Mission at Mabau
She reads the bible in the Fiji language,
and appears to be very familiar with both
the Old and New Testament Scriptures
The names of the men are Kina bose
faca, kora Tumasa mora, aud the dwraf
General Il Biau, who is about four feet
in height The history of these three
Cannibals is brief, but interesting. King
Tho smbau for more than third of
century has held full sway in the Fiji Is
lauds. Conceited, austcre, and impcrious
in his character, he long held out against
all influences of Missionaries to either re-
form himself, or introduce into his EN-
pire civilized customs aud arts.
Neraui, King of Rewa, and King
George, of Tonga, had professed Chris
tiauity, and at length brought over several
Of the neighboring Chiefs and their sub
iects. In the meantime King Thokam-
baus douiniouS were the scenes of con
slant striics, wars aud tumults, until hopes
of his conversion to Christianity were en-
tirely abandoned by the emissaries of both
the Wesleyan and Episcopal Missions es-
tablished in Ma Viii Levu. But King
Thokambau was at length taken sick, and
for long time his life was despaired of,
| and it was these trying circumstances that
finally induced him, through the influence
Of the Missionaries and the Tonga and
Rewa Chiefs to abandon Cannibalism, and
40 longer look upon the Missionaries as
enemies of his dominions. The inter
course of trade aud commerce, the immi-
grafton Of whites to establish cotton plan
tations, together with the spread of the
Scriptures in the Fiji language, all these
combined have given to King ThOkambau
the nominal claim Of a convert to Chris
ti&uity, with what business, however, re
mains TO be seen.
being the most powerful and infuen-
tizs of the Kings of the South Sea Is
lands. his services are frequently invoked
( by the Missionaries of the neishboring
islands to assist them to break up the sys-
+ tetDs of bloodshed, murders, stranguia-
tfSa of widows, wars, striies, and man
eSting, SO much INDUCED in by these san
! gxiuary savages Their horrid practices
I have never yet been reached by these
! faithful votaries of the Cross. In the
pa,svince of Burautu dwells large tribe
Of degraded Cannibals, who have long re-
sissed the friendly overtures of Missionary
lab0rers, and in consequence OF their bar
bsrities have become a terror to all who
, have sought to carry the Gospel, and con-
seareutly, the arts of civilized life into
their wretehcd abodes While endeavor-
irs to reclaim them from their errors,
aaG restrain them from their cruel prac
ticcs, two native Missionaries from Mbau
were seized by the savages at the instiga-
tioa of Loyoui, the Rebel Chief, and, ac
ccEding to their custom, were doomed to
Le eaten oHUe by piece meal.
News of their intentions reached the
u issiou, when no time was lost In prcpar.
lag for the rescue. An appeal was made
to King Thokambau, who, glad for an op-
portuuity to avenge himself on an old
enesny, aud desirous to show bis gratitude
Ger tie repeated acts Of kindness to his
family by the Missionary Society, sent
several hundred of his bravest warriors
tc assist in the rescue. The Missionar aries
( recommended peaceful negotion for the
restoration of their comrades. King
I Thokambau demonstrated, advising an
open aud relentless assault, after making
a formal demand for the captives, should
they not be forthwith given up. A par
lev ensued, when it was finally decided
to adopt the plan of the Missionaries s.
The latter were to call the tribes together,
and seek, by friendly interview, to re
gain the native Missionaries from these
blood thirsty Cannibals.
I At frs. the interview of the Mission
aries, which was witnessed by Mr.. w. c.
Gardenhire, (the gentleman who brought
these Fijians to America for Mr.. Bar
nun, seemed ominous of good.
All that etiquette aud cordiality, which
these brutalized beings know SO well how
to counterfeit, was practiced, and one
would have thought, says the above named
gentleman, that the "Milenium for the
Fijians was drawing nigh" Lovoni''
cunning eyed Mtds (the Rebels messeu
gers had taken in at glance the prob
able strength and numbers of the native
missionary teachers, and their aids SEN
by King Thokumbau, and after the con
clusion of the ceremonies, as these were
about taking their departure for the
canoes, with the released captives, Lovoni
the Rebel Chief, raised the war'cry e
sautu, lan,olap,ora = which was qulckl,
responded to by about soc Of his fellow
ers, when an indiscrimidate hand to hanC
fight of the most desperate and bruta
kind ensuad, having probably no parable
for feroclty in the annals of Fljian war