Fijians try to lift
cannibal ‘curse’

He was killed and eaten by villagers 136 years ago, but descendants of the assailants believe the slain Englishman still holds a grudge.

Some 600 people gathered in a remote Fijian village this morning, according to the Brisbane Courier-Mail, to attend a special ceremony aimed at apologizing to Methodist missionary Thomas Baker and eight associates who were clubbed to death and eaten in 1867.

The villagers hope the special Christian service will lift a curse they believe has hung over Nabutautau ever since.

The matter is so serious, Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase attended the ceremony held on cleared land in the center of the village.

Ten of Baker’s descendants traveled to the village to participate in the atonement. Villagers put out the red carpet for the relatives’ arrival, including offering them the traditional drink, kava.

“I am more than over-awed by what is happening,” Baker’s great-great-grandson, Geoff Lester, told the paper. “We were overwhelmed by the people who were deeply moved to see us.”

The Australian, who is a practicing Baptist, said he doesn’t believe in curses but vowed his cooperation.

“I and my family are more than happy to help them in any way they want us to,” the Courier-Mail quotes him as saying.