The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1893-08-16
DEFINITE BELIEF IN DEMONS.
Native Hawaiians Lack Tenaclty OF Life
Fatal Dread of Disease.

Although capable of great exertion
on seq or land, the grandly muscular
bodies of Hawaiian natives, II influ-
enced by fright or dread, absolutely
lack tenacity of life. In 1883, alarmed by
smallpox, thousands threw themselves
into the water to stop the fever, and
many died in the act. An epidemic Of
measles a few years later proved harm
less to the whites, but several thousand
natives perished. One writer thinks
that this ready surrender to sickness
is, in most cases, due to definite be-
lief in demon VIII ON the native feels
working in his vitals, and whom it is
hopeless to resist"
In 1873 a native cal led at the shop Of
c Il. Williams, an undertaken in Hon
olulu. and bought for himself and wife
two collins; went home, bathed, changed
his dress and was buried with his wife.
There was no suspicion of poisoning.
A native workman who had been in
Mr.. Williams employ for many years,
admiring one day a snowy coffin of Goa
wood, which he himself had polished,
strongly limited his desire to be buried
therein.
"Yes, Molsu, when you die It shall be
your pahu (box)," said the employer.
But the impatient AIolSu couldn't en-.
dure for one brief day, for he was bur
led within forty-eight hours after ac-
quiring his new possession. In the lat
ter instance some emotion other than
fear-ambition, perhaps, or avarice-
seemed TO influence the early death.
1t is nearly impossible to induce q
native when sick to submit TO medical
treatment. Here the power of the or.
dinary kahuna, one of the saving sort,
is displayed. Black pigs are roasted
for the invalid and his friends and the
kahuna, while communications, well
paid for, are held with the powers
above and below. There is then no
limit TO the fortitude with which the
patient will endure suffering unre-
lieved. Pretending TO obey the foreign
physician, he follows the directions OF
the kahuna, who, in his two-fold func.
ton of doctor and priest, is preaching
and practicing behind the scenes and
throwing away the mixtures OF his for
eign rival, perhaps of questionable
adaptation themselves.
Thus n doomed race courts death.
What we have now seen of character,
habit and surroundings Of the native
Hawaiians clearly shows that IL would
be impossible 10 exert any deadly in.
fluence upon these people through
threats or their own fears and super.
stitions or the slightest exposure or
shock.
The processes Of praying to death are
as follows: Any native whose goods
were desired or who might otherwise
have given cause OF offense, summoned
by anaana, instantly suspended his av.
ocation and, hasteni ng to the kahuna,
crouched in abject submission TO his
will until death took place, usually in
a few hours and apparently from ex-
haustion.
Frequently kahuna repairs in per-
son to the abode of his victim and
places himself in the presence of the
man, thereupon muttering incantations
and prayers. The kahu MAJ 5 own favor
ite god is usually addressed, and also
such aumalsuas and deities as are sup
posed to have been offended by the
accused. The subject sits quietly be-
fore his antagonist, Ia kes no food and
but little drink and dies In few days.
Popular Science News.