36.  TITI USI—­Glittering leaf girdle.

The name of a village god in Savaii, and worshipped at the new moon, when he appeared to them like a bright shining leaf girdle.  At that time all work was suspended for a day or two.  The cocoa-nut leaf blinds were kept down, and the people sat still in their houses.  Any one walking in front of the house risked a beating.  After prayer and feasting a man went about and blew a shell-trumpet as a sign to all that the ceremonies were over, and that the usual routine of village and family life might be resumed.  Out of respect to the god the name of the leaf girdle, titi, was changed into savalinga, or walking.  The said girdle is made of the ti leaves (Dracaena terminalis).

37.  TONGO—­Mangrove.

1.  This was the name of a war god, and incarnate in the owl.  If it hovered over or flew before the troops, that was a sign of victory.  If it crossed the path or flew back on them, that was a warning to retreat.

A dead owl found under a tree in the settlement was at once covered over with a piece of white native cloth by the person who discovered it.  Then all the village would assemble around it, sit down and beat and bruise their foreheads with any stones they could lay their hands on.  This was “an offering of blood” to Tongo, and, with an accompanying death wail, expressed their sympathy with the god over the calamity.  Tongo, however, still existed, and was seen in all the remaining owls, which continued to be his incarnations.

2.  There was also a family god of this name, and incarnate in the mullet.  If any one of that household ate a piece of that fish it brought on a curse in the form of a squint.

38.  TU—­Stand.

Stand was the name of this war god, as he was said never to sit down.  He was incarnate in the rail.  If the bird appeared reddish and glossy, it was a sign the people were to go to war.  If dark and dingy, the omen was bad, and they were ordered to sit still.

39.  TUFI—­To pick up.

A cocoa-nut tree spear ten feet long was the idol representative of this war god.  When the people met for worship the spear was stood up, and offerings were laid before it.  It was taken in the war fleet also as a sign that Tu was with them.

In time of peace Tu was a doctor, and supposed to be powerful in removing sickness in return for prayers and offerings.

40.  TURIA—­Driven.

This was the name of a god in Savaii by whose help a district once fought and conquered against fearful odds.  He was of use in peace also as well as in times of war.  He could change the drought into rainy weather, and this again into sunshine.  He was also supposed to come with his share of food for the entertainment of strangers, and add a pig to the number prepared by the people.  If six were laid down, the guests found, when they separated the heap of dainties they had received, that there would