Islands far away; Fijian pictures with pen and brush . in. There is no way of testing when the food is ready, butthe natives seem to know by instinct the right moment toremove the earth and take it out. These primitive ovens produce very satisfactory results,the food, even when it is a whole animal of considerable size,being evenly and equally cooked through, and having a richtasty flavour. The shark I was told was very good to eat,but I had no chance of judging for myself. Its flesh is re-served entirely for the Mbati (warriors), and no one elsegets any. When all the food was ready, and every
Islands far away; Fijian pictures with pen and brush . in. There is no way of testing when the food is ready, butthe natives seem to know by instinct the right moment toremove the earth and take it out. These primitive ovens produce very satisfactory results,the food, even when it is a whole animal of considerable size,being evenly and equally cooked through, and having a richtasty flavour. The shark I was told was very good to eat,but I had no chance of judging for myself. Its flesh is re-served entirely for the Mbati (warriors), and no one elsegets any. When all the food was ready, and everyone had brought Canoes. 129 what he could, all the surrounding villages contributing, itwas piled up in a huge heap on the rara or village green, andformally presented next day to the representative of theGovernor, who, with his native Commissioner, had come doA\iifrom Suva for the ceremony. The food was then given backto the Mata-ni-vanua, or herald, of Mbau, who distributed itamong all the people present, to be afterwards enjoyed intheir own A FIJIAN CANOE (WANGA). Chapter XX. THE GREAT CEREMONY AT MBAU. The 9th of August was a very disappointing day for the cere-mony for which such preparations had been made. The skywas black and lowering, and gusts of wind accompanied byheavy rain broke now and then. Ratu Kandavu Levu was not to be present, and he told ushe was going away at midday. He had completed all hispreparations :—his yacht lay off the island, his things werepacked and on it, and his two Fijian lads were already onboard. We were made welcome by him to remain as long as weliked, but, though he knew Andi Tliakombau would look afterus, he was concerned for our comfort, and wanted to leave hiscook, whom he greatly valued. But we would not hear ofit, and my companion said she would cook. This did notprove to be necessary however, for Fusi, his mid-haired Tonganhousekeeper, assisted by a very ugly old woman with a squint,managed to do all we required quite nicely
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