Kebisu

Description

The warrior (mamoose – chief) Kebisu was a legendary hero from Tudu Island. His heroic stories and fantastic acts of bravery while patrolling the Central Islands are re-told to young men to instill courage, obedience and temperance.

The story is told of an incident involving an English ship bombarding innocent people ashore on Prince of Wales Island, killing some, as a demonstration of sovereign power. Hearing about this, Kebisu and a canoe of warriors stealthily attacked the ship before dawn. Creeping into the ship, they came upon roosting chickens and a cockerel. The warriors were immediately intimidated and overwhelmed by the loud crowing and screeching. Scared to death, they jumped over the side and made haste for their canoes. The story has many versions, and this is the one made most fun of Kebisu.

The crocodile represents Kebisu’s totem. A young man is playing a drum and singing the traditional story-songs of Kebisu. When young men begin to grow facial hair, they were initiated and separated from their parents to live in a separate part of the village, where they would be instructed about the ‘four brothers’ law.