Messrs. Burton and JV^nr's Journey into the Batak Country. 503 



The only religious ceremony of universal interest, and in which all the 

 village unites, is that which they celebrate when on the eve of commencing 

 hostilities. The day proper for this solemnity having been fixed by the 

 Datu, a temporary shed is erected in the midst of the village, where all 

 the inhabitants assemble. In the middle of this shed the Datu spreads a 

 green cloth named ulos, to the centre of which are fastened two cords 

 about two feet long, having at their ends a knob of wax intended to repre- 

 sent a human head. These cords, called romhu siporhas, are considered 

 the representatives of the two hostile parties. On different parts of the 

 cords are beads, significant of the different members of each community ; 

 the upper ones of the chiefs, the under of the warriors, &c. 



After feasting, dancing, and beating their gongs for some time, the 

 Datu takes in his hands the rombu siporhas in the presence of all the people, 

 when he invokes the wrath of the gods and of their ancestors upon their 

 enemies, and desires them to make it manifest by rombu siporhas, whether 

 at that time they may revenge the wrongs of their country ; then letting 

 drop the cords, the Datii discovers by their relative situation and peculiar 

 appearance, what may be expected as the result of an attack at pre- 

 sent ; and should his report be favourable, they immediately commence 

 operations. 



Oaths. 



Though the Bataks do not worship idols, in every village is found an 

 image of wood or stone, the figure of a man, which they chiefly use in the 

 administration of oaths. To this test are referred all suits upon which 

 positive evidence cannot be obtained ; and it is thought that few are so 

 daring as wholly to disregard its sanction. On great occasions the cere- 

 mony is attended with peculiar solemnity, and may justly be denominated 

 religious. The whole village assembles before the image, when the injured 

 party call into and about it a host of spirits, to witness tlie transaction and 

 hear the oath taken. 



Influence of Religion. 



Of a future state of rewards and punishments these people have no 

 conception. They imagine the spirit to become more powerful and inde- 

 pendent after the dissolution of the body, and to be wholly exempt from 

 suffering, and consequently look forward to death without terror, except 

 such as may arise from the prospect of corporeal pain. Whether the soul 



Vol. I. 3 U 



