FOR BALLADEER’S BLOG’S LOOK AT OVER TWENTY FIJIAN GODS CLICK HERE
The people of Fiji believed in an epic journey for the souls of the deceased. That journey is even more detailed than the Soul’s Journey envisioned by the Tupari of Brazil.
I. For four days the spirit of the deceased lingers in the vicinity of its host body’s death. Then it begins the long and perilous journey to Mbulu, the land of the dead.
II. Upon reaching the headlands at Naithobokoboko the spirit encounters the goddess LEWALEVU. This deity tries to prevent the soul from proceeding unless she is propitiated by offerings of leaves.
III. If the deceased successfully passes Lewalevu it next encounters the sandalwood tree at Vuniyasikinikini. The spirit is required to pinch the bark of the Yasi/ sandalwood tree with its fingernails.
If the nails are long and sharp enough to sink into the bark it proves the person did not do much fighting or hard work in life. If its nails are short and dull it proves the deceased worked and fought hard in life and may continue their journey.
IV. Next awaits the goddess NANG-GA NANG-GA, the Devourer of Bachelors. Nang-ga Nang-ga sits on a black rock by the edge of the sea. On one side of her stone perch lap the ocean’s waves and on the other side steep jagged cliffs jut up to the skies. Continue reading
I meant to post this item several days ago. Better late than never. It features some black voters in #BLEXIT shirts (as in Black Exit from the Democrat Party, a parallel movement to #WALKAWAY) explaining to a reporter why they support President Trump. (As regular readers are aware I consider Trump a de facto Third Party President, which is one of the things I like about him since I dislike both major parties.) 
DOUBLE OVERTIME – The BENEDICTINE COLLEGE RAVENS hosted the UNIVERSITY OF THE CUMBERLANDS PATRIOTS in this 1st Round game. A 17-13 Halftime edge for the Ravens became a 20-17 Patriots lead to end the 3rd Quarter. Benedictine College tied things up at 34-34 to force Overtime. The 1st OT wound up as a 41-41 deadlock but in the 2nd OT the Ravens emerged with a 48-41 triumph. 
TROUBLE RIGHT HERE IN ORANGE CITY – The DICKINSON STATE BLUE HAWKS traveled to face Orange City, IA’s NORTHWESTERN COLLEGE RED RAIDERS. After a scoreless opening Quarter the Blue Hawks were on top of the Red Raiders 7-6 come Halftime. Neither team scored in the 3rd Quarter following which Dickinson State added 7 more points in the 4th for a 14-6 Upset. 
UPSET IN INDIANAPOLIS – The SAINT XAVIER UNIVERSITY COUGARS took it on the road against their familiar foes the MARIAN UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS in this game. A 14-14 1st Quarter tie was unchanged at the break. In the 3rd Quarter the Cougars grabbed a 24-21 lead then added 10 more points from there to win it 34-21. 
GIZMO (1977) – An entertaining documentary about some of the oddest inventions you could possibly imagine. Some never made it anywhere close to actually working, while others worked but proved so hopelessly impractical that you’ll howl with laughter at the wasted effort. 
The NEWPORT NEWS APPRENTICE SCHOOL BUILDERS have been named the 2018 College Football Champions in the USCAA (United States Collegiate Athletic Association). This per Balladeer’s Blog via the Glitternight Index for college football. 
Their view of American history is mind-boggling. This 1861 work of “J-History” if you will, features little-known events like JOHN ADAMS FACING A GIANT SNAKE (left) and George Washington hitting a tiger. It also corrects the mistaken assumption that Washington’s wife was named Martha when her real name was apparently “Carol.” (?) 
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 
BRONCBUSTERS. 
SALT CITY BOWL 
A large number of first-time readers have discovered Balladeer’s Blog recently and some of them have expressed confusion since I trash both Republicans and Democrats. Here’s one of my biggest hits – a tongue-in-cheek look at U.S. Presidents from Eisenhower to Trump so newbies can see that, yes, Virginia, I DO take shots at both major political parties. 
JOHN F KENNEDY 
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN AT WHITEWATER
EUREKA COLLEGE 
SAINT NORBERT COLLEGE 
Balladeer's Blog 