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5208
Shushan, Gregory, Near-Death Experience in Indigenous Religions, Oxford University Press, Chapter 4, Tui Liku, Pages Not Specified, 2018
12
Weak Evidence
8
Low Compatibility
Multiple gods, beautiful maidens temptation
This Fijian narrative presents low biblical compatibility due to significant polytheistic elements. While it contains classic NDE features like soul travel, divine beings, and return with proof, the theological framework is problematic. The Council House of the gods and King of Burotu indicate polytheism contradicting biblical monotheism. Ligadua as one of multiple "Lords of Burotu" suggests a pantheon rather than one God. The temptation by beautiful maidens in the spirit world introduces inappropriate sexual elements in the afterlife. The ability to make multiple voluntary journeys to the spirit world at will differs from biblical accounts of singular divine encounters. However, some elements align with scripture: being saved from demons by a divine protector parallels angelic intervention, bringing back tangible proof echoes biblical signs, and the permanent physical alteration (lost eye) as consequence of supernatural encounter has biblical precedent. The overall polytheistic framework and voluntary repeated journeys significantly compromise biblical compatibility despite some aligned elements.
Tui Liku from the Lau Islands of Fiji experienced his soul being taken from his body by a divine being while his lifeless body washed up on shore, indicating clinical death or profound trance. Being harassed by demons, he was saved by Ligadua, one of the Lords of Burotu (the Fijian spirit world), who he begged to accompany back to the divine realm. Despite Ligadua's warning that no world-man had ever returned from Burotu, Tui Liku was allowed to go with strict instructions. His soul rode a red wave to Burotu and was taken to the Council House of the gods for a welcoming feast. He requested and received permission from the King of Burotu to take special red coconuts back to Earth, with the condition he not enter any house despite invitations from beautiful maidens. Obeying these instructions, he successfully returned with the otherworldly coconuts. He made three subsequent journeys, each time returning with gifts: more coconuts, a small bird, and seeds from a special almond tree. On his final return, he was dismayed to find a sandpiper had pecked out one of his eyes from his corpse. Despite refusing to re-enter his disfigured body, Ligadua forced him back. He became known as Matadua (the one-eyed one), with his story explaining why sandpipers make the sound "tui liku, tui liku" and providing tangible proof of his journeys through the otherworldly items.
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