At the south end there
was an inner court, where the principal idol stood, surrounded by a
number of inferior deities, for the Hawaiians had "gods many, and
lords many." Here also was the anu, a lofty frame of wickerwork,
shaped like an obelisk, hollow, and five feet square at its base.
Within this, the priest, who was the oracle of the god, stood, and
of him the king used to inquire concerning war or peace, or any
affair of national importance. It appears that the tones of the
oracular voice were more distinct than the meaning of the
utterances. However, the supposed answers were generally acted
upon.
On the outside of this inner court was the lele, or altar, on which
human and other sacrifices were offered. On the day of the
dedication of the temple to Tairi, vast offerings of fruit, dogs,
and hogs were presented, and eleven human beings were immolated on
the altar. These victims were taken from among captives, or those
who had broken Tabu, or had rendered themselves obnoxious to the
chiefs, and were often blind, maimed, or crippled persons.
Sometimes they were dispatched at a distance with a stone or club,
and their bodies were dragged along the narrow passage up which I
walked shuddering; but oftener they were bound and taken alive into
the heiau to be slain in the outer court.
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