CHAPTER XI

SORCERY AND DIVINATION

There was another and darker part of the ancient re-ligion which filled a larger place in the minds of the com-mon people than the regular services in the heiaus, and hada more debasing influence upon them. This class of super-stitions was common to all the Polynesian tribes. The basisof it was. their belief that nearly all forms of sickness anddisease were caused by evil spirits, with whom communi-cation could be held through kahunas or sorcerers, ofwhom there were many different schools.

i. Kahuna Lapaau or Medicine Men. —Ordinary casesof illness were believed to be caused by the displeasureof the aumakuas, who were supposed to be jealouslywatching for any infringement of the tabus, and especiallyany neglect to fulfill a vow. If a chief was ill, offerings andprayers were made in the heiau, and chapels were builtfor the gods Lonopuha and Koleamoku. If his illnesswas severe, human sacrifices were offered to the tutelargod of the family. In ordinary cases a kahuna lapaau wascalled in, whose chief function was to propitiate the invisi-ble powers who caused the malady. It is true that certainvegetable remedies were used, but their efficacy dependedentirely on the good-will of the aumakuas. The medicineseems to have been considered more as the vehicle ormedium through which the spirit would act, than as hav-ing any power in itself to cure the disease.