Superstition Still Lingers

In Tonga

From Our Own Correspondent

Nukualofa, Oct. 2.

IN c:mmon with other branches of the Polynesian race, Tongans still have a firm superstitious belief in their ancient signs and portents of death and ill-fortune, despite the influence of Christianity and* Western civilization.

An instance of these old beliefs is the legend, unyieldingly believed by present day Tongans, that whenever a white flying fox appears among the multitude of flying foxes that inhabit trees in the middle of Kolovai village, Hihifo (Tonga tabu), it presages the death of the holder of the hereditary title Ata, chief of the village, or some other high chief closely connected with his family. There are many inhabitants of Kolovai still living who witnessed the appearance of a white flying fox three days before the death of the father of the present Ata.

Although his people were certain that the old chief would die and made prepara tions for his funeral, the time-honoured ill-omen was never disclosed to him.

Strangely enough, a white flying fox was seen at the hanging place of the flying foxes by the people of Kolovai three days before Prince Consort Tugi, who was closely related to the Ata family, passed away.

The uninitiated babalagi (whiteman), new to the ways of the Islands, may frown with scepticism at these superstitious native beliefs, but “old hands”, who have seen strange happenings in the South Seas, will smile with tolerance, for they know that there are some queer things in the Islands which the babalagi can never understand.

Mr. G. W. Marston, Postmaster and Chief Radio Officer at Apia, Western Samoa, for the past four years, has returned to New Zealand.

Messrs. F. Swanston, T. Olifent and L.

Pitt left Rarotonga, Cook Is., recently, for overseas service with the NZ Mili tary Forces.