Mark's Pages

"When Cook went ashore at Fare the next day [2 September, 1773], his boat was guided straight to Ori's house. At the water's edge, five young plantain trees were brought out - the first, with a pig, for the Ari'i or high chief [Captain Cook]; the second, with another pig, for the Atua [god] of the Europeans; the third as a sign of welcome; the fourth, with a dog, to represent the taura or rope which bound them together; and the fifth, with a pig, for Ori's taio, Captain Cook. These gifts were accompanied by a piece of pewter, engraved with an inscription from the Endeavour, which Cook had given to Ori in 1769 to mark their friendship. Their guide instructed Cook and his companions to take up three of these plantain branches, to decorate them with nails, looking-glasses and medals, and give them to Ori. Holding these branches, they walked through a lane through the huge crowd to where Ori was seated. The plantains were presented to Ori one by one, the first for his god, the second for the high chief of Huahine [Ori]; and the third for Ori himself, Cook's taio." — Anne Salmond, The Trial of the Cannibal Dog