TOMBS AND BURIAL CUSTOMS. 227 



to the royal ancestors ; and on a certain day every year, all 

 the people assemble from the surrounding country. There 

 is a general killing of oxen, which are hunted about before 

 being slaughtered ; after which they enter the house. But 

 there are numerous tabooed things to be observed, since no 

 one can enter who has any disease, or who wears blue 

 serge, or trousers, or shoes. Slaves are not allowed to enter, 

 as they would, in that case, become free people. The gates 

 to the courtyard surrounding the house, on the east and 

 west respectively, have each their proper use, only the nobles 

 and the attendants using the eastern one, and the common 

 people the western, for it is believed they would die if using 

 the other. The ceremonies on the special day of worship 

 consist of prayers, which are led by one who is a descendant 

 of the ancient kings, and the burning of a fragrant gum, and 

 the anointing of the relic boxes and other royal property with 

 a honey-like juice and white earth. All this is followed by 

 blowing of shells, beating of drums, dancing and singing, in 

 which some work themselves into a frenzied state, during 

 which they are believed to be inspired by the spirits of the 

 departed kings, and their words are received as oracular 

 utterances. 



The Tombs and Burial Customs of the Hovas have been 

 described in various books upon Madagascar, but it will be 

 necessary to give a short account of them here, not only to 

 give completeness to the subject, but also to show in what 

 respect they agree with and differ from the usages of the other 

 tribes, which are less known, and some of which are very 

 curious and noteworthy. 



It may be remarked, at the outset, that all the different 

 peoples inhabiting the island expend a large amount of time 

 and trouble and money upon their tombs and burial observances. 

 This care arises in great part from their religious notions, for 

 they believe that their departed friends become divine, in a 

 certain sense, and are able to benefit their descendants. And 

 so they offer prayers to them in connection with the Supreme 

 Being, and at certain seasons anoint the headstones of their 

 tombs with blood and fat as offerings to their spirits. 



The Hovas. — The majority of the Hova tombs consist of 



