IDOL SANCTITY. 299 



keeper. The idols were also taken abroad on special occa- 

 sions, being at these times usually fastened to the top of a 

 slender pole, so as to be visible from a distance, although the 

 idol itself was generally hidden from view by a covering of 

 scarlet silk or velvet, striped with dark-blue cloth 



Each idol had its special fady, that is, certain things or 

 acts which were distasteful to it, and which must not be 

 touched or practised by its votaries. The fady of Kelima- 

 lazawere as follows: — Pork and shellfish were forbidden, and 

 also to taste food which was still being cooked, or which was 

 taken off the fire at a different side to that at which it had 

 been put on. Should the bird called the tdkatra cross its 

 path when carried abroad, it must be carried back ; and 

 should this bird fly over the idol's house, a red ox entirely of 

 one colour must be killed as an expiation. It could not be 

 taken abroad on Friday or Saturday, and two species of 

 grass, called hdrbndrdno and Unona, were forbidden to be 

 taken into its house. Its keepers were not allowed to eat 

 beef killed at a funeral, and no person who had recently 

 attended a funeral could enter its house ; and its keepers 

 were obliged to dress their hair in a special manner, parted 

 back, and not arranged in a knot near the forehead. And, 

 finally, all who entered its house must step in with the right 

 foot. 



Next in rank to Kelimal^za was EamahavMy, the 

 Malagasy -^sculapius ; this was kept at a village a few 

 miles north of the capital, and was regarded as having power 

 to cure diseases. To effect this, small pieces of wood which 

 had been fastened to the idol were sold to those who required 

 them, and were regarded as of undoubted efficacy. The 

 name means " able to answer," or " able to revenge," and, as 

 already mentioned, when speaking of the superstitions con- 

 nected with animals, serpents were regarded as the agents of 

 this idol's anger if he were offended. Very extensive and 

 extraordinary powers were attributed to Eamahavaly, not 

 only over disease, but over the elements of nature, the 

 seasons, and futurity ; and not only were serpents his agents, 

 but he was said to be able to twist the neck of those who 

 offended him, so that they faced backwards, a reverse which 



