Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/180

150 FIJI AND THE FIJIANS. The earth first thrown up is laid aside apart from the rest. When the grave is finished, mats are laid at the bottom, and the body or bodies, wrapped in other mats and native cloth, are placed thereon, the edges of the under mats folding over all : the earth is then thrown in. Many yards of tke man's masi are often left out of the grave, and carried in fes- toons over the branches of a neighbouring tree. The sextons go away forthwith, and wash themselves, using, during their ablutions, the leaves of the ciuciu or the uci for purification ; after which they return, and share the food which has been prepared for them. In the native funeral ceremonies there is an effort to exhibit sympa- thy and kindness. Articles prized by the dead are either buried with them, or laid on the grave. Friends withhold nothing needed for the obsequies. Poor people who, when alive, could scarcely procure a mat to lie upon, I have seen buried in four or even six. A decent burial is much coveted. The King of Lakemba used to ask of the Missionaries, as the greatest favour, a wooden cofiin, that his body might not be trampled upon. The Chief of Mbau sent for Tongans to cut him a stone tomb. In Lakemba I recollect seeing the graves of children at the best end of the houses of several Chiefs ; " That the wind," they said, " might not disturb, nor the rain fall upon them." On certain parts of Viti Levu, the same reason is assigned for burying their dead in the temples ; also that the living may have the satisfaction of lying near their departed friends, and thus prevent their graves from being defiled ; for a Fijian burial-ground is generally a very filthy place. A faithful old servant of mine was constantly alluding to his death, and giving me directions about his interment. Lotu, a recent convert, asked me with concern whether she might be anointed with oil and tumeric afler death ; and, although dying, her eyes brightened as she told me the size of the cake of tumeric which she had in reserve for the occasion. A woman at Na Volivoli would not allow her babe to be buried at all, but kept it on a shelf in the house. Some have car- ried this out further. A child of rank died under the care of Marama, the Queen of Somosomo. The body was placed in a box, and hung from the tie-beam of the chief temple, and, for some months, the best of food was taken to it daily, the bearers approaching with the greatest respect, and, after having waited as long as a person would be in taking a meal, clapping their hands as when a Chief has done eating, and then retiring. If tortoise-shell or mats were divided, Tui Vanuavou — the child — always had his share. Over some of the graves a small roof is built, three or six feet high, the gables of which are filled in with sinnet, wrought into different