Islands far away; Fijian pictures with pen and brush . eft for us, and the rest were occupied by the missionary andhis family, the new Roko, Ratu Joni Mandraiwdwi, the Sutherland, and in the centre, as representing theGovernor, the Hon. Eyie Hutson. There were also mata-nivanuas, or heralds, attending on Mr. Hutson and Ratu Joni. The ceremony began with the solemn making and drinkingof yangona. A native put the grated root into the bowl and,amid absolute silence, another native poured in water out ofan earthen vessel. Then began the mixing and straining withthe vau fibre, during wh
Islands far away; Fijian pictures with pen and brush . eft for us, and the rest were occupied by the missionary andhis family, the new Roko, Ratu Joni Mandraiwdwi, the Sutherland, and in the centre, as representing theGovernor, the Hon. Eyie Hutson. There were also mata-nivanuas, or heralds, attending on Mr. Hutson and Ratu Joni. The ceremony began with the solemn making and drinkingof yangona. A native put the grated root into the bowl and,amid absolute silence, another native poured in water out ofan earthen vessel. Then began the mixing and straining withthe vau fibre, during which process the natives behind chantedgravely. Suddenly the chanting stopped, and an extraordi-nary figure started up from among the squatting assembly—a tall splendidly built man, dressed in no other clothing thangrass and bright coloured flowers and leaves. The effect wasmost dramatic and startling. When the half coconut whichlie held in his hand had been filled with the grog, he stood fora moment or two facing us, looking reverently up, with the. SOLEMN YANGONA DRINKING AT MBAU. The Great Ceremony at Mbau. 133 full cup in both hands, then he let himself down into a purelyFijian attitude which cannot be described in words, but Ihope a sketch may give some idea of it. Without quitegetting up, and yet with dignity, he made his way in turn tothose who were to partake, sinking in front of each into thesame attitude again, and presenting the cup with both the cup was nearly full each time, except when broughtto us, he never spilt a drop, and it certainly required greatskill—obtained no doubt through much practice—to succeed
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, bookidislandsfaraw, bookyear1921
