Wesleyan missionary Thomas Baker killed at Nabutautau, Fiji (1867)

Reverend Thomas Baker, a Wesleyan Methodist missionary, was killed and eaten in Fiji in July 1867. The incident occurred in the Navosa Highlands at Nabutautau, involving a local chief of the Navatusila tribe. Baker was killed for touching the chief's head, a cultural taboo. Seven of his Fijian followers were also killed and eaten. Baker is known as the only missionary in the archipelago to be killed and eaten.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Thomas Baker was a Methodist missionary in Fiji. In July 1867, he led a party into the interior of Viti Levu, passing through the Taukei ni Waluvu's Christian enclave on the East bank of the Wainimala River. The incident occurred in the Navosa Highlands of western Viti Levu, specifically at the village of Nabutautau.

The Incident. Baker met a local chief of Navatusila and presented a British comb as a gift, attempting to persuade him to convert to Christianity. Records indicate Baker was killed and eaten as a result of touching the chief's head, which is considered disrespectful in Fijian culture. The rock used to kill Baker is still displayed in the village of Nabutautau.

Aftermath. Baker was killed along with seven Fijian Christian workers. The incident is known as the only missionary in the archipelago to be killed and eaten. Following Baker's death, the Davuilevu mission was temporarily closed in 1868.

People involved

Sources

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