March.
1. Called Faaafu, or withering, from the withering of the yam vine and other plants, which become coloured "like the shells."
2. Taafanua is another name of the month, which means, roam or walk about the land, being the name of a god worshipped in that month.
3. Called also Aitu iti, or small gods, from the household gods then worshipped, and who were specially implored to bless the family for the year "with strength to overcome in quarrels and in battle."
April.
1. This month was called Lo, from the name of a small fish which comes in plentiful shoals at that time.
2. Called also Fanonga, or destruction, the name of a god worshipped at the eastern extremity of the group during that month.
May.
1. Called Aununu, or stem crushed, from the crushed or pulverised state of the stem of the yam at that time. Others say it was so named from multitudes of malicious demons supposed to be wandering about at that time. Even the fish of the sea were supposed to be possessed and unusually savage in this month. May is often an unhealthy month, being the time of transition from the wet season to the dry, and hence the crushing sickness and superstitious vagaries.
2. Called also on one island Sina, or white, from the worship of a goddess of that name there.