SAVAGE FIJIAN CUSTOM

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 August 1932, Page 8

SAVAGE FIJIAN CUSTOM

JEALOUS MEN’S ATTACK.

SUVA, July 28.

One of the worst practices of the savage Fijian was known as butiraking, or, in English, Turkey tramping. With the coming of civilisation most of the savage practices disappeared, but among a few remaining is that of butiraking. It is practised fairly often in country centres. An extreme case has been reported from Momi, on tho west, coast of Viti Levu. A young half-caste loved a Fiji girl, the daughter of the Bull Momi. or Government chief of the town. The parents were agreeable and so was tho girl, but several of the young Fijians of Momi were very jealous and decided to put the young man, a Government motor driver named Marriott, out of action. Inviting him to a “quiet evening,” round’ the flowing kava bowl; they induced him, all unthinking to enter the bare selected, and then all fell on him. Tie was knocked down with a club, quite a la Fijian style, and then the savages started to kick him on the face, body and limbs. The girl saw the performance and ran off to the European overseer, who quickly came on tho scene, and when he appeared the mob cleared. Marriott presented a shocking spectacle. He was battered’, bruised and' senseless and in the hospital was unable to speak or hear for days, nor could he move his body. Six natives have been arrested.