190 KABARY. 



will mix the mortar and fetch the Avater required for the 

 work. 



There is a curious custom in connection with the adminis- 

 tration of justice which seems unlilce anything in our 

 Western habits, viz., the use of the spear called Tsi-tla-lainga. 

 This is a spear with a large silver blade, on which is engraved 

 the name of the sovereign. Its name signifies " Hater of 

 lies," and when any one of consequence is accused of any- 

 grave offence, officers are sent bearing this emblem of royal 

 authority. They proceed to the house of the accused, and 

 there in front of it they plant the spear in the ground by its 

 sharpened lower end, after which no one can leave the house 

 until the offence has been examined into, and inquiry made 

 as to the truth or otherwise of the accusation. 



For several other customs connected with royalty, see 

 cliapter on " New Light on Old Texts," first section. 



A Malagasy Kabarij. — One of the most interesting sights 

 that a foreigner can witness in Madagascar is a great kdbarij or 

 public assemblage for the purpose of hearing a message from 

 the sovereign. These are usually held at Antananarivo, in a 

 large triangular piece of ground called Andohalo, situated in 

 the centre of the city, but sometimes in a much larger square 

 plain called Mahamasina, at the foot of the city hill to the 

 west. On very great occasions every one of the population 

 in the central province, even the children, except mere in- 

 fants, are ordered to attend; and as there also come repre- 

 sentatives from the distant tribes and provinces, a very large 

 assemblage of people is gathered together. 



Erom early morning, and before it is light, the people are 

 thronging to the place of meeting to take their positions, and 

 all the house-yards and buildings surrounding Andohalo, 

 and rising in somewhat amphitheatrical form around it, are 

 also crowded with people. All sit on the ground, with a 

 quiet order and power of endurance far exceeding what would 

 be seen in a European crowd. Early in the forenoon, the 

 discharge of cannon signifies that the high oiUcers entrusted 

 with the royal message have left the palace, and presently the 

 roU of drums and the sound of military music announces 

 their approach, lanes through the crowd being kept by lines 



