WITCHCRAFT IN FIJI.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17223, 13 August 1921, Page 5

WITCHCRAFT IN FIJI.

A very interesting case of wiWhorafb was tried at favua, Suva,recent*, m which Mr A. B. Edwards, proEecuted, and Mr B. A. Barftett took the Bench. It appears that two Fijiaiis had tried the old- practice of "Drau-ni-kau" upon Tui Tovua, the local Bull, with the reBult that that worthy lhad become "iThe .story goes that a F'jian moved the spell from near the ~® u1 '® lirmß© and hia arm at onoe swelled up and did not resume its a certain magic potion >had been drunk and also applied to tlio arm. Alter removal of the magio spall tthe i*uu fa \Vhen l the case came before the Court no Fijian could be persuaded to open or even touch the untU after a lot of argument. Eventually a man volunteered to take oil the risiy task, on condition t&at he could at onoe imbibe a native potion and apply the same to-his ana. Teimission being granted * the "Drau-ni-kau» which had been planted near the Bull's house, with such' diro results, was produced, ana opened. It consisted of a bit of bamboo, at the bottom of which there were some ieaves, then a bit of the Bull a singLet, and then soma more leaves, the wlhote being sealed up. . When all wad over, the two Fijians who had indulged in this practice were awarded six months' hard labour apiece for their efforts, So Beared were the natives of Tavua that they are petitioning that the prisoners be deported upon tllieir release from gaol.