THE LAST FRONTIER 



age he performs his every act in accord with pro- 

 hibitions and requirements. He must remember 

 them all; for ignorance does not divert consequences. 

 He must observe them all; in pain of terrible pun- 

 ishments. For example, never may he cultivate 

 on the site of a grave; and the plants that spring up 

 from it must never be cut.* He must make cer- 

 tain complicated offerings before venturing to har- 

 vest a crop. On crossing the first stream of a jour- 

 ney he must touch his lips with the end of his wetted 

 bow, wade across, drop a stone on the far side, and 

 then drink. If he cuts his nails, he must throw the 

 parings into a thicket. If he drink from a stream, 

 and also cross it, he must eject a mouthful of water 

 back into the stream. He must be particularly 

 careful not to look his mother-in-law in the face. 

 Hundreds of omens by the manner of their hap- 

 pening may modify actions, as, on what side of the 

 road a woodpecker calls, or in which direction 

 hyena or jackal crosses the path, how the ground 

 hornbill flies or alights, and the like. He must 

 notice these things, and change his plans according 

 to their occurrence. If he does not notice them, they 

 exercise their influence just the same. This does not 

 encourage a distrait mental attitude. Also it goes 



*Of course all customs are not universal among the different tribes. I am 



merely illustrating. 



214 



