112 TABOO AND GENETICS 



understand the system of taboo control which 

 grew out of this attitude, it is only reasonable 

 to suppose that the prehistoric races, like the 

 uncivilized peoples of the present time, were 

 inclined to explain all phenomena as the result 

 of the action of spiritistic forces partaking of 

 both a magical and religious nature. This 

 supernatural principle which the primitive mind 

 conceived as an all-pervading, universal 

 essence, is most widely known as mana, although 

 it has been discussed under other names.* 



Certain persons, animals and objectsf are 

 often held to be imbued to an unusual degree 

 with this mana, and hence are to be regarded 

 as holy and held in awe. Inasmuch as man 

 may wish to use this power for his own purposes, 

 a ceremonial cult would naturally grow up by 

 which this would become possible. Otherwise, 

 to come in contact with these objects directly 

 or indirectly, besides profaning their sanctity 



*The Australians call it Arunkulta, the Iroquis Indians 

 Orenda and other North American tribes Wakonda, the 

 Melanesians Mana. 



|Dr F. B. Jevons (2) says : " These things . . . are alike 

 taboo : the dead body ; the new-born child ; blood alid the 

 shedder of blood ; the divine being as well as the criminal ; the 

 sick, outcasts, and foreigners ; animals as well as men ; women 

 especially, the married woman as well as the sacred virgin ; 

 food, clothes, vessels, property, house, bed, canoes, the thresh- 

 ing floor, the winnowing fan, a name, a word, a day ; all are 

 or may be taboo because dangerous. This short list does not 

 contain one-hundredth part of the things whicli are supposed 

 to be dangerous ; but even if it were filled out and made 

 tolerably complete, it would, by itself, fail to give any idea 

 of the actual extent and importance of the institution of 

 taboo." 



