Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/214

 184 FIJI AND THE FIJIAXS. Here it is seen tending a brood of chickens ; and there it directs the energies of a kingdom. Its influence is wondrously diflused. Coasts, lands, rivers, and seas ; animals, fish, fruit, and vegetables ; houses, beds, pots, cups, and dishes ; canoes, with all belonging to them and their management ; dress, ornaments, and arms ; things to eat, and things to drink ; the members of the body ; manners and customs ; language, names, temples, and even the gods also, all come under the influence of the tabu. It is put into operation by religious, political, or selfish motives, and idleness lounges for months beneath its sanction. Many are thus forbidden to raise or extend their hands in any useful employment for a long time. In this district it is tabu to build canoes ; on that island it is tabu to erect good houses. The custom is much in favour with Chiefs, who adjust it so as to sit easily on themselves, while they use it to gain influence over those who are nearly their equals : by it they supply many of their wants, and command at will all who are beneath them. In imposing a iabu, a Chief need only be checked by a care that he is countenanced by ancient precedents. Persons of small importance borrow the shadow of the system, and endeavour by its aid to place their yam-beds and plantain-plots within NUT TABUS. a sacred prohibition. The iab^i secures to the priests of Mbakandroti all the one-eared pigs born in their neighbourhood. But as little profit would arise from a strict adherence to the letter of the charter, it is made to mean all swine which may have one ear shorter or narrower than the other.