The Ceremonies 357 



head as final payment for the life of the invalid. Since the act is car- 

 ried on beside the river, the spirits will either witness the act, or see 

 the blood as it floats away, and hence will not need to visit the town. 

 The rattan cord and vines used in the dwelling are thrown onto the 

 water for the same reason. 



The whole family is covered with a large blanket, and a medium 

 swings a coconut over them, then resting the halves on the head of 

 each one for a moment, she releases them, meanwhile calling to the 

 spirit, "You see this ; this is your share ; do not come any more." 

 After assuring them that the sickness will now fall away from them, 

 she waves burning cogon grass over their heads while she cries, "Go 

 away, sickness." The blanket is removed, and the family bathes. 

 While they are still in the water, the medium takes a spear and 

 shield in her hands, and going to the edge of the stream, she begins to 

 summon spirits, but all the while she keeps sharp watch of the old 

 man who killed the dog, for he is now armed and appears to be 

 her enemy. However, she is not molested until she starts toward the 

 village. When quite near to the settlement, she is suddenly attacked 

 by many people carrying banana stalks which they hurl at her. She 

 succeeds in warding these off, but while she is thus engaged, an old 

 man runs in and touches her with a spear. Immediately she falls as 

 if dead, and it is several moments before she again regains conscious- 

 ness. This attack is made to show the spirit how unwelcome it is, 

 and in hopes that such bad treatment will induce it to stay away. 



After the return of the family to the village, the guests drink 

 basi, sing and dance, and usually several spirits are summoned by the 

 mediums. 



The next morning two Pinalasang ■ are constructed in the yard. 

 Each supports a plate containing beads, a string of beads is suspended 

 from one of the poles, and a jar of basi is placed beneath. In front 

 of them the mediums call the spirits, then offer the heart, livers, and 

 intestines, while they call out, "Take me and do not injure the people." 

 The final act of the ceremony is to construct the spirit raft taltalabong , 

 load it with food, and set it afloat on the river, "so that all the spirits 

 may see and know what has been done." 



In addition to the regular pay for their services, the mediums 

 divide the jaw of a pig and carry the portions home with them, as 

 their protection against lightning, and the spirits whose hostility 

 they may have incurred. 



1 See under Idasan, p. 309. 



