FIJIAN FIREWALKERS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8314, 18 December 1906, Page 5

FIJIAN FIREWALKERS.

I By Telegraph—Press Association. CHRISTOHURCO, Deo. 17. The first of the firewalking 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 4,000 spectators. The pit was dug on Saturday, and the stones were placed in position and covered with the inflammable wood brought over from Fiji in readiness for to day. The fire waß lis early this morning, and She logs covering the stones blazed oil day. This afternoon the half-burnt lo«s were removed and the wood ash, etc., cleared faway, leaving the stones oleaa and intensely hot, and at a given signal tho flrewalkers from their place cf concealment, ran to the pit, and walked over the hot stoues, leaving the pit at tbo point, of entrance. They walked confidently and swiftly, and were in the pit for a little over half-a-minnte. The masawo for' the subsequent feast was thrown upon thestones, and the Are walkers remained kneeling for a time upon the masawbs. A commencement, was made with the filling in of the oven when the orowd surged round and caused operations to he suspended for a time. The oven was eventually filled in and will be left till Thursday, when the nooked masawo will bo eaten by the firaw'nlfcera prior to the second performance.