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THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM MAGAZINE. 



THE SACRED GOPI RAVI IN THE INNER SANCTUM OF A RAVI AT KAIMARI. 



Cane figures of mystic significance which are seen by the senior men only. Fear of 



them serves to keep the younger men in subjection, who provide appropriate sacrifices 



which are confiscated by the attendants, or so-called sorcerers. 



[Flashlight Photo. — Captain Frank Hurley. 



fortune favoured us one day when all 

 the village was gathered at the house 

 of one who had died, and the ravi was 

 left almost empty. With large bribes 

 an old keeper of the sanctum was in- 

 duced to permit the introduction of 

 the cameras. The barrier screen was 

 moved farther forward and one of 

 the figures called " Gopi-Ravi " was 

 posed before the camera. When all 

 was ready a large charge of Hash-powder 

 was ignited, and the picture secured, 

 which is represented on this page. 

 Our old guide fled to the outer part of 

 the ravi, and could be induced to return 

 only when he perceived that no harm 

 had befallen anybody. 



Negotiations were then entered into 

 for permission to examine the contents 

 of the mysterious bundles, which, after 

 much wrangling, was Anally gained. 

 The old chap was fearful lest the men 

 should return to the ravi, and insisted 

 upon haste. But this was not easy for 

 the wrappings of bark and cane were 

 very stiff and dry, and I had to lie 

 prone on the floor in the cramped space, 

 while spiders, lizards and scorpions ran 



out over my hands as I untied them. 

 I found each bundle to contain a num- 

 ber of '■ bull-roarers " or carved pieces 

 of wood which create a humming or 

 droning sound when whirled around on 

 a length of string. Our efforts to 

 purchase a bundle of them aroused 

 much ill-feeling, a fact that was readily 

 explained later when we learnt that 

 each member of the ravi is apparently 

 represented by a bull-roarer, and 

 believes himself to be under the pro- 

 tection of the particular gopi-ravi 

 under which it is stored. Such behefs 

 are cultivated by the older men or so- 

 called sorcerers, who thereby dominate 

 the younger members and so ensure 

 their proper regard. The juniors are 

 taught that pig is injurious to them as 

 food, and likewise crocodile and other 

 dainties, and that only the older hands 

 can eat of them without evil conse- 

 quences. We witnessed a number of 

 young men returning from a successful 

 hunt a few days ago, with four pigs 

 which they had kiUed in the bush, and 

 they chanted a wild song of triumph, 

 while their canoes were decorated and 



