Melanesian Mission.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 8, 1 February 1914, Page 108

Melanesian Mission.

Motalava, Banks Islands.

The .Christian religion has taken firm root m Motolava, but it need hardly be added that the superstitions of heathen days linger on, when after 1500 years of Christianity, England is not yet rid of them. A man gets ill, and then remembers he trespassed near some spot that was taboo m heathen days, because pervaded by a spirit of power. Perhaps he is suffering on that account. At any rate, -while the first instinct will now be to apply to the clergy or teachers for medicine and ask God's blessing on it, the second instinct may be (on the principle of leaving no stone unturned) to send a little gift of money to the owner of that uncanny bit of ground, on the understanding that he will use his influence to undo the mischief. The ceremony to be employed m such a case is simple enough. It may not even be necessary to go as far as the spot indicated ; for if by chance the man is met by one of the lizards so common m these islands, and it does not avoid him, that is a sure sign that the creature is possessed of the sufferer's soul, and if carried back it will restore it, and the patient will recover. If, on the contrary, the lizard vanishes, the offended spirit's sanctuary must be visited and the sick man's name called aloud there twice a day. JBJach call is followed by a tense pause. Should a kingfisher cry m response, the soul may be prevailed upon with an entreaty to return, and the good news that he can recover at once is carried to the vSick man, who naturally proceeds to do so. There is a projecting cliff still known at Motolava against which a heavy serf beats ceaselessly with a crash of spray and foam, always followed by the menacing roar of the baffled enemy, retreating only to return untired to the attack. Standing on this cliff m former days, men would throw food or money into the foaming billows to obtain success m gardening or m fighting, as the moment's need dictated. Away beyond is a rock only to be reached by diving, but from which " mana " can be obtained at a touch. Among very harmless notions entertained both m the Banks and also m the far-away Solomons is one that on a long walk, a diffi-

cult path, or a steep scramble, a man can ward off fatigue and make better progress by throwing some leaves or sticks, or stones to one side, with the words, " There goes my tiredness." But m the bad old times there was wizardry of the blackest m little Ra, to-day all »miles and sunshine. Yes, and the old times are not yet very old, not as old as a grown man. There were ghostshooters m those days, from which the white man's guns take their Mota name. The wizard must be persuaded with money to prepare a ghostshooter. With preparatory fasting and the accompaniment of the inevitable magic song, the bamboo is packed with its fatal ingredients, such as dead man's bone and leaves hot with " mana." The weapon is then ready to be delivered to the man who has set his heart upon killing his enemy. It is such a little bamboo, that it can be carried m the hand without attracting notice, and the open end is covered with the thumb until the unsuspecting foe is near at hand. Then with malicious triumph the hand is outstretched towards him — not m friendship. The thumb is lifted and the magic influence is released m his direction. If the unlucky mortal sees the ghost-shooter he loses all power of resistance and falls to the ground. He might r.ot die at once, but he will crawl home a doomed man, whose hours are numbered. Yet nothing external has so much as touched him. Such was the power of the ghost-shooter.