IN JAVA, 99 



which the worshippers had plaited a fringe of Areng palm 

 leaves. This same stone is thus decorated at every visit 

 made by the worshippers to the sacred grove. 



At the base of two of the stones/ where perhaps they have 

 lain for unknown time, I found an earthenware jar, both of 

 them somewhat broken, but of elegant shape and artistic 

 design, not of ordinary native pattern or workmanship ; but, 

 besides these jars, the egg-shaped stones and the image, all 

 the monuments were of rough stone and without inscription or 

 sign of handicraft. At the base of all the principal mounds 

 and pillars I found remains of their offerings. 



I learnt that the worshippers belonged to the tribe called 

 the Karamjs or Kalangs, who lived in a village lying several 

 days" journey to the southward. Four times a year a procos- 



-^>^\ 



EARTUIiNWARE FOT FUOM THE KARAXO'd GUOVE. 



sion of old men and youtlis repairs, by patlis known only 

 to themselves, tlirougli the dense intervening forest in a diiect 

 course by valley and mountain, to this sacred grove ; the old 

 men to worship and make offering, the youths to sec and 

 learn the mysterious litany of their fathers. The old men lead 

 the way; the rest follow in single file, no one breaking the 

 silence of their journey. Should any one be encountered^ by 

 them on the way their pilgrimage is considered for that time 

 unpropitious, and they return to their village to wait for a 

 more favourable occasion. On their arrival with early 

 morning at the grove they camp in a small hut, cleanse the 

 ground" about the sacred mounds, and perform during the 

 night or on tlie following day the rites known to them- 

 sefves alone ; in the evening they take their departure to an 



