86 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [bull. 79 



are not yet considered as real warriors, because they have not killed 

 an enem}'. Similarly no one of the women drinks of the liquor. 

 What is left of the manioc wine is kept by the priest to be consumed 

 after the meal now beginning. 



After the drinking ceremony just described the general banquet 

 takes place at which the flesh of the swine and chickens slaugh- 

 tered during the night is consumed. This banquet has the same 

 character as the meal taking place every morning after the principal 

 ceremony of the day. HoAvever, it is considered essential that both 

 tlie guests and the hosts should eat much, so that the whole supply of 

 meat that exists is consumed. The best pieces of the swine and the 

 chicken are selected for the victor. The meal is considered ominous 

 for the future. Just as the victor now eats much flesh of swine and 

 chicken, so there will not in future — thanks to the mysterious favor- 

 able influence of the tsantsa — be any lack of such food in his house. 



After the banquet the priest distributes the remainder of the 

 manioc wine among all the men, even the younger ones being now 

 allowed to drink until the whole supply is exhausted. 



The final ceremony still remains to be performed with the victor, 

 in which his hair is cut and his body painted black with genipa. 

 The priest therein acts as before. Of the great pigtail which the 

 victor wears behind he cuts off only the last ends, but the smaller 

 braids at the temples are completely removed. The hair cut off is 

 laid on the shield and is kept by the victor. The hair cut on cere- 

 monial occasions is used by the Jibaros for the preparation of the 

 girdles of human hair which are worn by the men. 



Thereupon follows the painting with genipa. A small pot con- 

 taining the genipa solution is placed on the shield. The priest dips 

 his fingers in the solution and coats the victor's whole face with it, 

 drawing broad strokes along his breast and stomach, his back, arms, 

 and legs. At this ceremony also the choir of the women, conducted 

 by the priestess, assists. 



Having finished these operations the priest addresses the men stand- 

 ing around him in much the following words : " I have completed my 

 task as a whuea at this feast. What I have done now you may also 

 do later when you grow old." 



The rest of the day is passed in the same way as during the previous 

 days of the feast, drinking bouts being held and solo dances being 

 performed, in which the men and the women, as usual, make their 

 appearance by pairs. Now just as before the women generally ac- 

 company their dance Avith a sort of incantation. 



When darkness sets in the last night's general dance commences, 

 which is continued until dawn, when it is finished with the usual 

 bath in the river. 



