22 WUber Theodore Elmore 



At times, when the number of carts is large, there is great con- 

 fusion, and the beating of drums and shouting of the people make 

 the oxen frantic. Accidents appear to be rare, however.^ 



After the procession of carts, the people bring sheep, goats, 

 and chickens and ofifer them to Poleramma, carrying away the 

 carcasses to be eaten later. This ends the ceremonies of the third 

 day. 



The fourth day is the greatest day of the festival, and has the 

 most repulsive features of any part of the ceremonies. A great 

 heap of boiled cholam, kaffir corn, is poured out before the goddess, 

 and then the buflfalo^" sacrifice is brought. The story tellers re- 

 count the deeds of heroes, and get the people into a high state 

 of excitement. The drums are then beaten loudly, while men 

 seize the bufifalo by head and body, pulling on it so that the neck 

 is strained tight. The pujari blesses the sword and hands it to 

 the executioner, usually a Madiga. He worships the sword, 

 bowing to the ground before it, then with one stroke he severs the 

 head from the body." The head is then placed before Poleramma, 

 and one, or quite commonly, both front legs are cut off at the 

 knee and placed crosswise in the mouth of the buffalo. Some of 

 the fat is taken from the abdomen of the buffalo and spread 

 •over its eyes, and a wick placed in a small vessel of oil is lighted 

 .and placed on the head. This oil that is burned is supposed to be 

 from the fat of the buffalo, but this rule does not seem to be com- 

 monly observed. 



Water is then poured over the blood, and later it is well cov- 

 ered with earth from fear lest some of it should be carried to 

 another village, as this would destroy the efficacy of the sacrifice. 



® At one time I witnessed a procession in which the leg of an ox was 

 broken. 



10 The Indian buffalo, Bos buhalus. The buffalo offered is usually a 

 small one, perhaps a year old. 



11 It is said that the executioner is allowed three strokes, and if more 

 are required the offering is not acceptable. If the buffalo is small, one 

 stroke usually suffices, but with a large animal I have seen most dis- 

 tressing scenes when many blows were required. There was no evidence 

 in these cases that the offering was not acceptable. The requirement 

 seemed to be that the animal must stand until the head falls, and I have 

 seen it held up by poles until the neck was severed. 



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