2 Hutton Webster 



a. The Toda Days of Abstinence 46 



b. Tabooed Days in West Africa 50 



c. Quasi-holy Days in Archaic Civihzations. . 58 

 IV. Periods of Abstinence Connected with Lunar Phe- 

 nomena 62 



10. Superstitions Relating to the Moon 62 



11. Taboos Observed at Changes of the Moon 69 



V. Lunar Calendars 84 



12. Lunar Months 84 



13. Lunar Weeks 90 



14. The Hebdomadal Cycle 99 



VL The Babylonian " Evil Days" and Sabattu 103 



15. The " Evil Days " 103 



a. The Cult of Seven and the Planetary Week. 106 



b. Babylonian Lunar Weeks 112 



16. Taboos Observed on the " Evil Days " 115 



17. The Sabattu 119 



VIL The Hebrew Sabbath 123 



18. The Sabbath in the Old Testament 123 



19. The Sabbath as a Lunar Festival 127 



20. Taboos Observed on the Sabbath 135 



VHL Periods of Abstinence at Unlucky Times and Seasons 145 



21. The Conception of Unluckiness 145 



22. Unlucky Days in the Lower and the Higher 



Culture 147 



Conclusion 156 



INTRODUCTION 



The custom of refraining from labor at certain times and 

 seasons is by no means unknown to peoples in the lower stages 

 of culture. In addition we often meet, as associated practices, 

 the discontinuance of public gatherings, the closing of the house 

 or the village against all strangers, the extinguishing of lights, 

 and fasting, either partial or complete. On such occasions bright 

 and gay dresses may be laid aside, bathing and anointing aban- 



