346 EEPOET— 1891. 



their " sponsors," if this term may be used, by the direct in- 

 junctions of the old men who conduct the ceremonies, and by 

 some of the spectacular games which are performed for their 

 instruction as well as for their amusement. 



During the course of hora certain principles for their guid- 

 ance during life are impressed upon them : for instance, ta 

 listen to and obey the old men ; to generously share the 

 fruits of the chase, &c., with others, especially their kindred ; 

 not to interfere with the women of the tribe, especially as 

 regards those related to them ; not to injure others by witch- 

 craft. 



The sacred traditions of the tribe are imparted to them 

 under the obligation of secrecy, for breach of which the penalty 

 of death may be inflicted, either by violence at the hands of 

 the initiated or by supernatural means by the wizards. They 

 are told how" the hora was in the first instance instituted by the 

 Great Being, whose representation is now for the first time 

 shown to them moulded life-size in earth upon the ground, 

 whose presence is believed to inspire the wizards during the 

 ceremonies, and whose voice is heard in the roaring noise of 

 the sacred instrument, which is the central mystery in the 

 ceremonies of the tribes. In some tribes one or more teeth are 

 knocked out as a visible sign of initiation to all whom it niay 

 concern. 



The qualification of the novice to take his place as a war- 

 rior is in many tribes tested by a combat in which he takes 

 part. As a hunter, he is sent out when initiated to earn his 

 own living, often for several months ; and, under the custom of 

 the hora, the novice is, by the strict rules of prohibition as to 

 certain food-animals, placed practically in a state of privation, 

 while possibly surrounded by plentiful but forbidden game. 

 The extraordinary restrictive power of these rules, and the 

 wonderful efi'ect of the teaching at the hora, has been often 

 shown by serious, nay, even fatal effects produced by " con- 

 science " in novices who have broken the rule and have eaten 

 of forbidden food. 



At the close of the initiation the youth is clothed with the 

 garb of manhood : he is invested with the belt, the kilt, the 

 armlets, the forehead band ; he is painted with the tribal 

 markings, and he is armed with the proper weapons of offence 

 and defence. 



Finally, having been initiated, instructed in what lie may 

 justly speak of as the sacred religion of the tribe in its moral 

 code, having satisfied the elders that he is fitted as a warrior 

 and as a hunter to be received as a " full man " in the com- 

 munity, he is permitted to take his promised wife where infant 

 betrothal is practised, or to obtain one under such conditions- 

 as obtain in that particular tribe. 



