Book

The king and people of Fiji: containing a life of Thakombau; with notices of the Fijians, their manners, customs, and superstitions, previous to the great religious reformation in 1854

Wesleyan conference officeLondon • Published In 1866 • Pages:

By: Waterhouse, Joseph.

Abstract
The author, a missionary, befriended the Vunivalu (war and executive chief) Cakobau (Thakombau), whom he converted to Christianity. Subjects covered range from general descriptions of court politics and etiquette to analysis of religious practices that led to the tragic killing and cannibalistic consumption of war captives and of some widows. Also covered are mythology, community organization, and specific features of inter-island warfare and of hosting guests—including missionaries, American mariners, and Tongan kings.
Subjects
Form and rules of government
Chief executive
Inter-community relations
Warfare
Aftermath of combat
War veterans
Cannibalism
Cult of the dead
Prayers and sacrifices
Animism
Spirits and gods
Offenses against life
Religious offenses
Social personality
Gender status
Burial practices and funerals
Gender roles and issues
Missions
Mythology
Cosmology
culture
Bau Fijians
Region
Oceania
Sub Region
Polynesia
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Missionary
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Teferi Abate Adem
Field Date
1849-1864
Coverage Date
1835-1865
Coverage Place
Fiji
Notes
By Joseph Waterhouse
LCCN
05014524
LCSH
Fijians
Thakombau, Chief of the Fiji Islands, 1817-1883