STRANGE SEA STORIES

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 288, 9 November 1925, Page 10

STRANGE SEA STORIES

FIJI’S BIG FISH GOD.

STILL A DREAD MYSTERY.

SUVA, Oct. 16. Among the strange stories extant among the native Fijians none is kept so muck, alike as the tale of the Dakuwaqa, pronounced dakuwanga. There is no doubt but that the story of the god originated because of the actual happenedings of some early voyagers with large and awesome sea monsters. It is a tact that huge and unusual fish or sea monsters do exist to-day in the waters around Fiji. There have been many authenticated cases by reliable witnesses as to the appearance of huge 'fishes and even sea' serpents, the latter expedience Tiappening fast year off the island of Tavouni, when the tea serpent was distinctly seen by the Rev. x\lr McLean, and a European nurse. But the dakuwanga has continued to reappear at definite intervals, and these bear out the many grim stories told among the traditions of the people. It is said that the god punished the wicked in the old days by pulling them out of their canoes or at times pulling canoe and occupants down to the bottom of the sea. He was even given the credit of being able to change his appearance into a human shape, or into the likeness of some predatory animal or monster.

The story of the many ways in which the dakuwanga was propitiated would fill a book. His good graces were a serious matter to all native voyagers. Reports have been handed of grave disasters off the island of Nukulau, off Dravuni Island, and Booau and in Hatowa Bay.

A HONEYMOON INCIDENT.

The most remarkable story about the fish god is as late as September of this year, when it is told how a newlymarried pair were proceeding home to Wainunu, in Vanua Lovu, from Levuka, in the schooner Ovalau, when a very large fish suddenly made its appearance. Having in mind tho experience a year earlier, when Captain Robbie and party had encountered a monster on tlie same route, the people on board murmured “dakuwanga.” In obedience to the legends of their forefathers they all remained still, never even looking to see what tho fish was doing for fear of offending tho god by watching his pranks. Evidently tho god was not in a harmful but in a merely playful mood, for no one was harmed. However, this large fish, after following the vessel for some time, suddenly closed in on the stern of the Ovalau, running its head and portion of its body under the ship, attaching itself to the ship and keel, and in this way swimming or being pulled along for about a mile. Then it suddenly let go and slowly moved off in tho direction of tho island of Koro.

The previous occasion on which the dakuwanga appeared was a coincidence, as the same man was captain of the two vessels, the Ovalau and tho other, the Annie, inward bound for Levuka carrying Captain Robbie from Vanua Levu. In this latter case, while out in the open sea, tho vessel was suddenly enveloped by tho flappers of a huge fish. It was described by Captain Robbie, an old and experienced sailorman, and not one given to romancing, as being a fish of considerable length, possessing a very broad head with a huge dorsal fin. The tail was large and flat, like that of a whale, resembling in shape an aeroplane's rudder. It is said to have been black and wihte in colour, with a reddish tinge, was spotted, and apparently of a solid structure. Everyone was very glad when the fish let go as quickly "and silently as he had come, sinking to the bottom of the sea, which was very deep thereabout. OTHER EXPERIENCES.

A further extraordinary appearance was reported by Stolz and Brown, voyaging in a five-ton cutter to Levuka from Wainunu several years ago. A huge monster suddenly appeared alongside the vessel, and nearly pulled it under, by the bowsprit, the marks of its teetfi, it was asserted, being distinctly seen later, when the cutter came to anchor at Levuka. The report in full appeared at the time in the Polynesian Gazette. Then there was the experience of the late Rev. A. J. Small, who, when ho read of Captain Robbie’s experiences, wrote to the paper mentioned of an experience he had on one occasion with a largo fish off Hamona Island, whatever it was, when it hung on to an eight-ton cutter for about a quarter of an hour. The dakuwanga still remains a dread mystery.