STRANGE SEA STORIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19168, 6 November 1925, Page 11

STRANGE SEA STORIES.

FIJI'S BIG FISH GOD,.

: _ ——■: STILL A DREAD MYSTERY.

EXTRAORDINARY TALES.

[FHOJt. OITR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] - ; . SUVA, Oct. 16. , Among the strange stories extant among the native Fijians none is kept so much alive as the tale of the Dakuwaqa, pronounced dakuwanga. There is no doubt but that the story of the god originated because of the actual happenings of some early voyagers with large and awesome sea monsters. It is a fact that huge and unusual fish or sea monsters do exist to-day in the waters around Fiji. There have bean many authenticated cases by reliable witnesses as to the appearance of huge fishes and even sea serpents, the latter experience happening last year oft the island of Tavouni, when the sea serpent was distinctly seen by the Rev. Mr. 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 palling 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 dakuwanga- was; propitiated would fill a book. His good graces were" a ■ serious matter to all native voyagers. Reports have been handed down of grave, disasters off the island of Nukulau, off Dravuni Island, and Booau and in Hatowa Bay. A Hoaeymocii Incident. The most remarkable story about the fish god is as late as September .of this year, when it is told how a newly married • 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 the experience a year earlier, when Captain Robbie' and party had encountered a monster on the 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 the fish was doing for fear of offending the god, by watching his pranks. Evidently the god was not in a harmful but in a merely playful mood, for no one was hai-med. 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 the direction of the island of Koro. The previous occasion on which dakuwanga appeared was a coincidence, as the same man was of the two vessels, the Ovalau and the other, the Annie, inward bound for Levuka carrying Captain' Robbie from Vanua Levu. In this latter while out in the open sea, the versa! was suddenly enveloped by the flappers of a huge fish. It was described by Captain °ld and experienced sailormau, ana .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 Sat/, like that of a whale, resembling'in shape an aeroplane's, rudder. It is said io have been black and white in colour, with a reddish tinge, was spotted, and apparently of a solid structure. ' EverVdne 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 farther extraordinary appearance was reported by Messrs. btolz and Brown, voyaging in &. five-ton cutter to Levuka from Wainunn several years ago. A huge monster suddenly appeared alongside the vessel, and nearly pulled it under, by the bowsprit, the marks of its teeth, 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, v.'hen he read of Captain Robbie's experiences, wrote to the paper mentioned of an experience be had on one occasion yvith a large fish, off Hamona Island,' whatever it was, when it hung on to an f eight-ton cutter for about a quarter of an' hour. The dakuwanga still remains & dread mystery.