Volume 1

Polynesian researches, during a residence of nearly six years in the South Sea Islands; including descriptions of the natural history and scenery of the islands--with remarks on the history, mythology, traditions, government, arts, manners, and customs of the inhabitants / By William Ellis.

  • Ellis, William, 1794-1872.
Date:
1829
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Polynesian researches, during a residence of nearly six years in the South Sea Islands; including descriptions of the natural history and scenery of the islands--with remarks on the history, mythology, traditions, government, arts, manners, and customs of the inhabitants / By William Ellis. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    and white. They were armed with a club or cudgel, and proceeded through the district, seizing and heating every person they met with out of doors. All who saw their approach instantly fled, or hid themselves. They did not enter any of the dwellings, hut often struck them as they passed by, to the great terror of those within. They appeared and acted as if they were deranged, and were supposed to be inspired by the spirit of the deceased, to revenge any injury he might have received, or to punish those who had not shewn due respect to his remains. Since the introduction of Christianity, these and other barbarous and heathen customs, in connexion with the death and burial of the natives, have ceased ; the rites and usages of Christian burial, as far as it seemed desirable, or the circumstances of the people would admit, have been introduced, and are generally observed. At each of the Missionary stations, a piece of ground near the sea-shore, and at some distance from the houses, has been devoted by the government to the purposes of interment, and all who die near are buried there. Those who die in the remote districts are buried by their friends near the place; sometimes in the vicinity of their little rustic chapel, at others in the garden near their dwelling. They are not always deposited in a coffin, as the survivors are often destitute of boards and nails ; they are, however, decently interred, usually wrapped in native cloth and matting, and placed in the keel or lower part of a canoe. If there be a native Missionary or teacher near, he is called to officiate at the interment; if not, a male branch of the family usually offers up a prayer when the body is committed to the earth. Some inconvenience was