ABSTRACT
Tikopia spirits were for the most part conceptualized as invisible, inaudible beings, manifesting themselves by the observed effects of their actions rather than by any overtly perceptible qualities of their own. But occasionally sensory ‘evidences’ of their presence were believed to be obtained : a spirit would be seen, heard or even smelt. Such ‘evidences’ were ordinarily attributed to either the ghosts of the recently dead or unknown spirits of casual encounter. They were of irregular and, for most Tikopia, were of comparatively rare occurrence.
