Title: Polynesian Researches

Author: Ellis, William

Part of: New Zealand Texts Collection

This text is the subject of: Introduction to Polynesian Researches

License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand Licence

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CHAP. XV

FROM PAGE 382 TO PAGE 414.

Tahitian prophets—Ancient predictions relative to the arrival of ships—Traditions of the Deluge corresponding with the accounts in sacred and profane writings—General ideas of the people relative to death and a future state—Death the consequence of Divine displeasure—State of spirits—Miru, or heaven—Religious ceremonies for ascertaining the causes of death—Embalming—The burying of the sins of the departed—Singular religious ceremony—Offerings to the dead—Occupation of the spirits of the deceased—Superstitions of the people—Otohaa, or lamentation—Wailing—Outrages committed under the paroxysms of grief—Use of sharks' teeth—Elegies—The heva—Absurdity and barbarism of the practice.

PLATES IN VOL. I.

WOOD ENGRAVINGS.

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