Note 1 — Traditional Hawaiian History.
Reading edition
In the Viti group the kings are called tui of the land over which they reign. In Tonga and some other of the Polynesian isles the highest chief is called tui. The Tui-Tonga family descended from the gods.
The Viti gods were in the following gradation: Lan-Hanalu (Polynesian, Kane?); Kalu, god of the kapu, there called “tambu;” the inferior gods were Kalu Niuza, Reizo, Vazugui-Berata, Vazugui-Ton-ha, Komei-Buni-Kura, Balu-Bunti, Leka, Uleguen-Buna, Banu-Be, Tambo-Kana-Lauhi, Buta-Guibalu, Dauzina, Komainen-Tulugubuca; the principal goddesses were Gulia-Zavazo, and Goli-Koro.
These gods inhabited a heaven called Numa-Lauhi. (What relation does that bear to the Nuumealani of the Hawaiians?)
Oudin-Hei, or Oudin-Hi, is the creator of heaven, earth and all the other gods. After death, every soul goes to join Oudin-Hei.
The Viti priests are called ambetti.
The Vitians make no human sacrifices; they worship no images. They have sacred houses called ambure. (Compare Hawaiian, “pule”). At the death of a king or queen they cut off a finger or a toe, but not in times of sickness, like the Tongans. The Vitians use no betel, but drink awa like the other Polynesians.
At the age of fifteen years, the Vitians practice circumcision by slitting the prepuce.
Though they marry at an early age, they do not cohabit with their wives until they are twenty years old, for fear they should die—a religious injunction of the kapu. Wives are not sold by their husbands.
The women do not eat with the men, but afterwards.
The awa plant is called augona.
Coconut trees are climbed by means of a cord between the feet.
Tabuing in Viti is practised as in Hawaii and elsewhere in Polynesia. The tabu-tree is called alauzi.
The Vitians know how to make earthen vessels (pottery), probably derived from the Papuans of New Guinea.
Anthropophagy is common in the Viti group; enemies and others are equally acceptable.
The Viti canoes are fitted with out-riggers.
The hair is tied up with white thin kapa, resembling a turban, like the Papuans of Vegiu.
When a chief dies, a number of his wives are killed to keep him company.
The Vitians do not change their names in sign of friendship, like the Polynesians.
On the Isle of Laguemba, the Tongans have settled and intermarried with the Vitians.