FIRE WALKING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 80, 2 March 1935, Page 8

FIRE WALKING.

A AIYSTERY OF FIJI. On his recent visit to Fiji the Duke of Gloucester was afforded unique entertainment in a performance of the fire dance. Albenga, the island or the firewalkers. is about 20 miles from Suva. Although there are about 2oU islands in the archipelago of Fiji, inhabited by nearly 100,000 Fijians, the secret of the fire-dance is known only to the small tribal division who live on Beqa—pronounced and spelt iin Admiralty charts Albenga. 1 Only the elders know the secret, and they are now few in number. First, a pit about 15 feet wide and four feet deep is dug. It is then filled with stones as big as a man can lift, and these are covered with logs. The fire is lit many hours before, so that the stones become white-hot: So far the procedure is the same as that of preparing a lovo, or ground oven, in which joints of pig, wrapped in leaves, would be placed on the stones, covered with earth, and left to cook. However, on this ceremonial occasion, the remains of the logs are dragged from the stones, which are then roughly levelled. ■ Suddenly, highpitched yells are heard, and Fijians dressed in picturesque native style come from behind the trees. Shouting their kaila (tribal cry), they come, jumping and running, to halt by tlie side of the pit. Then, following their leader., one by one they step ou the white-hot stones and slowly make tlie circle of the pit. The elders appear to enjoy it, but the younger generations, at first, are apt to tread rather delicately. However, after spending some minutes and even squatting stationary on the stones, all leave the pit without even having suffered apparent discomfort. The pit is then covered with fresh branches, and a huge column of smoke and steam signals the end of the ceremony. How is it done? Literally, no one knows. The chief of Albenga- will tell you that if his people take your hands in theirs you can also walk unharmed on the fiery stones, hut neither European nor Fijian from other parts lias Ween found trusting enough to try it. So it remains—the mystery of the fire-dance of Mbenga.