The Land of the Firewalkers is a short silent film about a visit to Beqa (or Mbeqa), Fiji to observe the fabled firewalkers (presumably the Sawau people). The film appears to capture a day of traditional life on Beqa, as villagers prepare for a fishing expedition by harvesting vines to make ropes (00:40) then eat lunch, complete with coconuts (01:33) and snakes (02:45). After the meal, the villagers move into the water by boat (03:20) or by wading (03:58), while children play in the water and look on. One villager shows off part of the harvest, holding a large fish (04:21). Villagers then begin work for the fire-walking ceremony by preparing the pit (05:10) with wood and rocks. A villager announces the ceremony by blowing on a conch shell (06:10). Men make final preparations for the pit (06:47), then the fabled firewalkers perform their feat (07:40).
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com