Fijian's Cannibalism

Cannibalism was practised in Fiji for hundreds of years before dying out in the late 19th century with the coming of Christianity and British colonial rule. Before it did died out, in July 1867 a missionary was murdered, cooked and consumed while trying to spread Christianity in Fiji's rugged highlands.

Legend has it that 35 years old Rev Thomas Baker, a Methodist minister born in Playden, Sussex, was murdered after breaking a taboo by taking a comb from a chief's hair. But historians say the real reason was resistance to the spread of Christianity and complex tribal politics. Mr Baker became the only white man to be eaten in Fiji, a former British colony once known as the Cannibal Isles.

He and his men were ambushed as they left a village early one morning. They were cooked and eaten by the people of the remote mountain village of Navatusila. The only thing left of Mr Baker, were his leather boots and they even attempted to chew them.

The people of Navatusila believe they were cursed because of the actions of their cannibal ancestors. They have no electricity, no passable road leading out of the jungle, and down the years they have suffered a series of misfortunes.

In a bid to break that 137 old curse, in 2003 they have invited the cleric's descendants to attend a special ceremony of atonement, where they plan to offer an apology for the sins of their ancestors. In an elaborate ceremony villagers presented woven mats, a dozen highly-prized whale's teeth and a slaughtered cow to 10 Australian relatives of the Rev Thomas Baker.

Another fact, when the tribe's chief is eating human flesh, they don't actually hold the flesh in their hand. A wooden decorated fork will be used by high ranking chiefs or great priests specifically for eating human flesh. The persona of important ranking chiefs and priests was taboo, and as such nothing un-sanctified was allowed to touch them, hence their use of the fork to feed themselves or to be fed with by their attendants. When the fork is not in use, it was hung on the inner wall of the burekalou, or spirithouse until the next meal.

Source : www.telegraph.co.uk

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