The Cycle of Life 263 



a head-axe placed upon an inverted rice-mortar near the dwelling, 

 another stands near by in a winnower, and is covered with a bundle 

 of rice; four go to a corner of the room; while the balance is placed 

 on either side of the doorway. These jars are later used to hold the 

 cooked rice which is offered to the Inginlaod, spirits of the west. At 

 the foot of the house ladder a spear is planted, and to it is attached a 

 long narrow cloth of many colors. Last of all, a bound pig is laid 

 just outside the door with its head toward the east. 



When all is ready, the mediums bid the men to play on the tong- 

 a-tong (cf. p. 314) ; then, squatting beside the pig, they stroke its side 

 with oiled fingers, meanwhile chanting appropriate dlams (cf. p. 296). 

 This done, they begin to summon spirits into their bodies, and from 

 them learn what must be done to insure the health and happiness of 

 the child. Later, water is poured into the pig's ear, that "as it 

 shakes out the water, so may the evil spirits be thrown out of the 

 place." 1 Then an old man cuts open the body of the animal and, 

 thrusting in his hand, draws out the still palpitating heart, which he 

 gives to the medium. With this she strokes the body of the expectant 

 woman, "so that the birth may be easy, and as a protection against 

 harm," and also touches the other members of the family. 2 She next 

 directs her attention to the liver, for by its condition it is possible to 

 foretell the child's future (cf. p. 307). 



While the medium has been busy with the immediate family, 

 friends and relatives have been preparing the flesh for food, which is 

 now served. No part is reserved, except the boiled entrails which are 

 placed in a wooden dish and set among other gifts intended for the 

 superior beings. 



Following the meal, the mediums continue summoning spirits until 

 late afternoon when the ceremony known as Gipas — the dividing — is 

 held. 3 The chief medium, who is now possessed by a powerful spirit, 

 covers her shoulder with a sacred blanket, 4 and in company with the 

 oldest male relative of the expectant woman goes to the middle of the 

 room, where a bound pig lies with a narrow cloth extending along 

 its body from head to tail. After much debating they decide on the 

 exact center of the animal, and then with her left hand each seizes a 



1 This is known as palwig. 

 'This action is called tolgi. 



* In the San Juan district Gipas is a separate two-day ceremony, which 

 takes place about nine months after the birth. In Baak a part of the Dawak 

 ceremony goes by this name. 



* This Is known as indlson, and is "such a blanket as is always possessed 

 by a spirit." See p. 313. 



