Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/139

 MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 113 and entire, becoming more thin as it becomes more t"wasted, while the infusion drains from it in a regularly decreasing quantity, till at length it denies a single drop." The man now tosses the dregs behind him, or, with a new lot of vau, repeats the operation, until the liquid is clear and fit for use.

When an adept has been manipulating, I have seen the various curves described by him watched, with mute attention, by interested hundreds, whose countenances indicated a pleasure which I could not but share. Regular attenders provide their own cups, formed of the half of a cocoa-nut, which, afler long use, takes a fine polish and a pur- plish hue. When cups are few, an elegant substitute is made of the banana leaf. As the water is poured in, the chief herald repeats the following prayer: "The water; ay. Prepare the libation ! Prepare the libation to the Tavasara; a libation to Oroi rupe; to the Yeidoti ; to the Loaloa; to the Chieftains of the Sokula, who have died on the water, or died on the land! Be gracious, ye lords, the gods ! that the rain may cease, and the sun shine forth! A libation to my Lady of Weilangi, etc. Be gracious, ye lords, the gods! that the rain may cease! "Here all in the ring join with him to chant, "Ei Ma-nai di-na: se-di-na-li!" finishing with three or four sharp claps of the hands from all present.

The yaqona being ready for use, a person approaches, in a sitting pos- ture, with a cup, or frequently with two, one holding water to be drunlv after the infusion; the vau is laid over the cup, and the liquor poured through until it is full, when the herald, addressing the cup-bearer, says, "A woi — ceri caki!" "Stand up!" While the man obeys, the herald offers prayer thus:—

"Me loma viuaka na hzlou A lutu mada na toJcalau."

The cupbearer, in a stooping attitude, presents the cup to the King, who pours out a few drops — the libation — and then drinks, while the whole company chant, "Ma-nai di-na. La-ba-si-ye: a-ta-mai-ye; ai-na-ce-a-toka: Wo-ya! yi! yi! yi!" All now clap their hands to- gether, producing a quick and merry measure, finishing abruptly. The triple yi! is uttered in a high key, and followed by a shout, in which the people round the house join ; those who are more distant catch and repeat the sound, until it is carried far beyond the boundaries of the town. Not to shout would be considered disloyal.

After the King, the herald names the next in rank, who notifies his