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Updated: June 7, 2025
Kolory, however, is so desirous his conduct should meet with unqualified approbation, that he inquires of each individual separately whether, under existing circumstances, he has not done perfectly right in shutting up Moa Artua. After a few moments Kolory brings forth his doll again, and, while arraying it very carefully in the tappa and red cloth, alternately fondles and chides it.
They smoke, they chat, and at last one of their number makes a proposition to the rest, who joyfully acquiescing, he darts out of the house, leaps from the pi-pi, and disappears in the grove. Soon you see him returning with Kolory, who bears the god Moa Artua in his arms, and carries in one hand a small trough, hollowed out in the likeness of a canoe.
Rokoa restrained his superior speed, and kept beside Barton and myself. `Courage, Artua! he said, `we are near the shore, and he offered me his hand to assist me, but I would not take it. Notwithstanding our utmost exertions our pursuers gained upon us.
"We accordingly took a hurried leave of him, and Olla. `Good-bye, Artua, said the latter, `Olla will not forget what you have told her of our great Father in the sky; she will ask him for a new heart that she too, may go when she dies, to the Christian heaven, and she pointed upward, while a happy smile lighted up her intelligent, and, for the moment, serious countenance.
In fact, this funny little image was the 'crack' god of the island; lording it over all the wooden lubbers who looked so grim and dreadful; its name was Moa Artua*. And it was in honour of Moa Artua, and for the entertainment of those who believe in him, that the curious ceremony I am about to describe was observed.
*The word 'Artua', although having some other significations, is in nearly all the Polynesian dialects used as the general designation of the gods. Mehevi and the chieftains of the Ti have just risen from their noontide slumbers.
Kory-Kory who seemed to have devoted considerable attention to the study of theology, as he knew the names of all the graven images in the valley, and often repeated them over to me likewise entertained some rather enlarged ideas with regard to the character and pretensions of Moa Artua. But in sober seriousness, I hardly knew what to make of the religion of the valley.
And yet Mehevi, and other chiefs of unquestionable veracity—to say nothing of the Primate himself—assured me over and over again that Moa Artua was the tutelary deity of Typee, and was more to be held in honour than a whole battalion of the clumsy idols in the Hoolah Hoolah grounds.
Ideas suggested by the Feast of Calabashes—Effigy of a dead warrior—A singular superstition—The priest Kolory and the god Moa Artua—Amazing religious observance—A dilapidated shrine—Kory-Kory and the idol—An inference.
Still Moa Artua remains as quiet as ever; and Kolory, seemingly losing his temper, fetches him a box over the head, strips him of his tappa and red cloth, and laying him in a state of nudity in a little trough, covers him from sight. At this proceeding all present loudly applaud and signify their approval by uttering the adjective 'motarkee' with violent emphasis.
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