8 Field Museum of Natural History 



would often turn around and face the masks. During 

 the singing of what might be called a stanza there was 

 very little forward movement. After this they would 

 advance a little, sing another stanza, and so on, thus 

 slowly proceeding from one end of the village to the 

 other, and back to the enclosure. As soon as the pro- 

 cession was inside, the opening was closed. Then the 

 masks were removed from the bearers and carefully 

 placed under their sheds. The other performers re- 

 moved their special ornaments, and all retired for a 

 rest till meal time. The whole performance lasted 

 from one to two hours, and was repeated twice a day, 

 weather permitting, in the early forenoon and late 

 afternoon, as long as the spirits remained in the vil- 

 lage (while the food supply held out). 



The number of dancers and attendants varied from 

 time to time, and sometimes women took part in the 

 procession. At some time during the performance 

 there was placed in front of each mask one of the 

 bound hogs and great numbers of bundles of taro, 

 yams, and other food. After a short ceremony, this 

 was removed and taken away to be cooked and eaten, 

 though not everything that was eaten was offered in 

 this way. 



The smaller masks did not always appear in the 

 procession, nor did they seem to have any special 

 honor, as during the performance the women would 

 often talk to them, and even slapped them in the face. 

 Between the main performances one or both of the 

 small masks would come out with sticks and run 

 around the village. All the young men and boys took 

 to their heels, and if one got anywhere nearby, a stick 

 was thrown at him. 



During one performance on the afternoon of the 

 second day, which I saw, a woman dancer indulged 

 in a special fit of scolding, or at least appeared 

 to do so, and was answered by two old men who 



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