SACRIFICES. 303 



still offered by the people in those parts of the island which 

 are uninfluenced by Christianity. These consist of oxen, 

 which in many cases must be entirely of one colour, and of 

 goats, sheep, and fowls. In certain cases the whole animal 

 was burned ; but in most instances the fat only was burned 

 and the blood poured out, as representing the best portion 

 of the victim and its life; while the flesh was eaten by 

 the offerers, forming thus a meat-offering. Sacred stones 

 and places were also anointed with the fat and blood ; the 

 graves of the Vazimba and the upright headstones of family 

 tombs being thus honoured. A gum called emboka and a 

 fragrant wood called havbzo were also burnt on some occa- 

 sions ; and a kind of lustration, by sprinkling water upon 

 the worshippers by the idol-keepers and by those who acted 

 as sacrificers, was a frequent part of the religious ceremonies 

 in use. Among the Hovas the sovereign acted on some 

 occasions as a high priest ; thus, Eadama I. is described by 

 the Eev. J. J. Freeman, in 1828, as burning a small piece 

 of fat before each of the seven small wooden houses covering 

 the tombs of the royal ancestors in the royal courtyard at 

 Antananarivo. This was done at the New Year's festival. 



It is worthy of remark that sacrifices of thanksgiving are 

 called fanalamboady, that is, " the accomplishment of a vow," 

 while others offered to obtain benefits are called sbrona. 

 This latter word is also used, probably from its connection 

 with the burning of the flesh, for the simple feeding of a 

 fire with fuel. 



In one province of the island, the Vangaindrano district 

 on the south-east coast, human sacrifices were formerly 

 offered. These were made every week, Friday being the 

 proper day, and those of high rank were considered the most 

 appropriate offering ; the victims were speared and left to be 

 devoured by wild dogs and birds. 



Atonement and Expiation. — Closely connected with the 

 Malagasy customs as regards sacrifices was the practice of 

 making a faditra, a kind of expiatory or atoning offering for 

 certain offences, or to avert threatened or dreaded evils. 

 This faditra often consisted of most worthless objects, such 

 as ashes, the husk of a fruit, the gourd or pumpkin, or the 



