FIRE-WALKERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3733, 18 December 1906, Page 2

FIRE-WALKERS.

First Exhibition.

Christchurch,. Dec. 17. The first of the fire-walking performances by the Troupe of Fijians from the island of Bega took place on the Exhibition sports ground this afternoon, and was witnessed by nearly four The pit was dug on Safnrday, and stones were placed ih position and covered with the inflammable wood brought over from Fiji in readiness for to-day. The fire was lit early this morning, and the logs covering the stones blazed all day. This afternoon the half-burnt logs were removed, and the ;woodash, etc,, cleaned away, leaving the stones clean and intensely hbt." At a given signal the fire-walkers emerged from their place of concealment, ran to the pit, and walked over the hot stoijeg, Ifeayihg the pit at the point of entrance. They walked confidently and swiftly, and were in the pit for a little over half a minute. The masawe for the subsequent feast was then thrown upon the stones, and the fire-walkers remained kneeling for a time upon tbe masawes. A commencement was made with the filling in of the oven, when the crowd surged round and caused operations to be suspended for a time. The oven was eventually filled in, and will be left till Thursday, when the cooked masawe will be eaten by the firewalkers prior to the second performance.