The Melanesians

CHAPTER VII.

RELIGION.

The difficulty of the subject. The language used by native people and Europeans. Mana a supernatural power or influence; stones; charms. How spirits and ghosts are distinguished by the natives. The differences between the religions of Eastern and Western Melanesia. The misuse of terms like ‘god’ and ‘devil.’ The Banks Islands, spirits known as vui. The Solomon Islands, tindalo ghosts of the deceased who are worshipped. The example of Ganindo. Prayers and offerings. . . . . . . . . . 117-127

CHAPTER VIII.

SACRIFICES.

Offerings made to the dead during meals. Differences between sacrifices in Eastern and Western Melanesia. The Solomon Islands: sacrifices to ghosts; an example at San Cristoval now Makira. Florida Island sacrifices, both public and private: first-fruits, sacrifices for war, and for crops. Human sacrifices. Seven types of sacrifices at Saa. San Cristoval; the practice of substitution. Santa Cruz. The Banks Islands: offerings to spirits at sacred stones; offerings using money. Familiar spirits. The New Hebrides now Vanuatu: Aurora Maewo, Pentecost, Lepers’ Island Ambae, and Ambrym. . . . . . . 128-144

CHAPTER IX.

PRAYERS.

Prayers and invocations. To ghosts in the Solomon Islands, Florida, San Cristoval, and Saa. To spirits in the Banks Islands, Motlav, and Mota. Invocations spoken at sea. The New Hebrides. . . . . . . . . 145-149

CHAPTER X.

SPIRITS.

The minor role of belief in spirits in the Solomon Islands. Kahausibware. The Banks Islands: vui. Native understandings: the two orders of spirits. Nopitu spirits that possess people or reside within them. Qat a hero-spirit or deity and the Creation. The stories and adventures of Qat: Marawa and Qasavara. The story of the flood. Santa Cruz. The New Hebrides: Tagaro and Supwe; the Creation; winged women. Changeling spirits. . . . . . 150-172

CHAPTER XI.

SACRED PLACES AND THINGS.

Why images are not considered idols. Sacred stones. The Solomon Islands: sacred places of burial; shrines. Other sacred places, such as streams. Florida and Bugotu. Sacred animals: sharks, snakes, frigate birds, and crocodiles. The Banks Islands and New Hebrides: stones, heaps, streams, pools, trees, sharks, snakes, changeling snakes, and kingfishers. . . . . . . . . . . 173-190