Although mass ordeals similar to those decreed by the 
kings in Madagascar did occur, this procedure was dis- 
tinctly the exception. The poison was given specifically 
to those who were suspected of having committed acrime 
or of being in league with sorcerers. 
The inhabitants of this area had great faith in the or- 
deal and willingly submitted to it to clear themselves of 
any guilt. In connection with this, witch doctors often 
strengthened or secured their positions by taking the 
poison publicly. However, they were extremely careful 
to mix weak doses. 
A standard procedure of administration among the 
Gallois and the Inenga tribes was as follows: 
The medicine man drew a line in the ground or desig- 
nated a tree about ten feet in front of the accused, to 
whom he gave the drink. As the poison took effect, the 
medicine man signaled to the accused, who started to 
walk towards the line or the tree. If he made his goal 
before collapsing, he was declared innocent, and the 
people fell upon his accuser, either killing him or fore- 
ing him to undergo the same ordeal. If the accused failed 
to reach the line, however, the people fell upon him and 
cut him to pieces. (Perrot and Vogt, 1913) 
Among the Pahouins, a slightly different procedure 
is recorded (Lasnet and Boyé, 1911). In the public square 
of the village, the drink was given to the accused who had 
to down it in one gulp. When the poison began to act, 
the medicine man held a stick about 50 centimeters above 
the ground and indicated that the accused should Jump 
over it. If this were accomplished, he was pronounced 
innocent and was given his liberty. If he were not able 
to do it, he was immediately killed or sold to cannibals. 
In rare cases, a person who had not been immediately 
murdered might slowly have started to recover. When 
this exceptional event occurred, that person was declared 
[ 290 ] 
