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Fiji village apologises to relatives for eating English missionary
London, Nov 14: The residents of a Fijian village have apologized to the family of an English Christian missionary who was eaten by tribespeople 136 years ago, fearing they have suffered bad luck ever since.
London, Nov 14: The residents of a Fijian village have
apologized to the family of an English Christian missionary who was
eaten by tribespeople 136 years ago, fearing they have suffered bad
luck ever since.
The descendants of Thomas Baker had joined Prime Minister Laisenia
Qarase and 600 people to attended a tribal ceremony in Nabutautau.
The locals apparently believe their village has suffered bad luck ever since the cannibalism incident on July 21, 1867 and hope saying sorry will help their fortunes.
Baker's great-great-grandson Geoff Baker said he was ''overwhelmed'' by the greeting his party received at the remote village, after arriving there on Wednesday evening.
The journey took them five hours by four-wheel drive, and the final three or four km of a makeshift road have reportedly only been bulldozed in the last few days.
Methodist pastor Iumeleki Susu, a descendant of the only surviving member of Thomas Baker's doomed group, was also present.
Precisely how Baker, who came from East Sussex, came to be eaten is the subject of conjecture.
According to one version of events, he tried to take a comb out of the chief's hair, or a hat from his head, without realizing that touching a chief's head in Fiji is forbidden.
He was clubbed to death with eight Fijian followers and then eaten.
One villager who took part in the cannibals' feast was quoted in contemporary accounts as saying ''we ate everything but his boots''. And one of the boots is reportedly on display in the Fiji museum.
Bureau Report
The locals apparently believe their village has suffered bad luck ever since the cannibalism incident on July 21, 1867 and hope saying sorry will help their fortunes.
Baker's great-great-grandson Geoff Baker said he was ''overwhelmed'' by the greeting his party received at the remote village, after arriving there on Wednesday evening.
The journey took them five hours by four-wheel drive, and the final three or four km of a makeshift road have reportedly only been bulldozed in the last few days.
Methodist pastor Iumeleki Susu, a descendant of the only surviving member of Thomas Baker's doomed group, was also present.
Precisely how Baker, who came from East Sussex, came to be eaten is the subject of conjecture.
According to one version of events, he tried to take a comb out of the chief's hair, or a hat from his head, without realizing that touching a chief's head in Fiji is forbidden.
He was clubbed to death with eight Fijian followers and then eaten.
One villager who took part in the cannibals' feast was quoted in contemporary accounts as saying ''we ate everything but his boots''. And one of the boots is reportedly on display in the Fiji museum.
Bureau Report