CH. IX JOUBNEY THBOUGH MINAHA8SA 215 



leaves were attached, which were connected with an open 

 space in the roof of the hut or a neighhouriag tree (91). 

 These strings were, in fact, god-ladders. They were for the 

 purpose of allowing the gods to slide or step down from the 

 tree or the roof to the altar. 



Every opportunity was taken to hold a feast, or fosso, 

 as it was caUed, whether it was to celebrate a victory won, 

 or to implore the assistance of the gods in an expedition 

 that was about to start, to save the life of anyone who was 

 dangerously ill, or to initiate a youth into the duties and 

 responsibilities of manhood. 



On such occasions the members of the family were 

 called together, food and wine with betel-nut and its acces- 

 sories were placed upon the altar for the refreshment of 

 the gods, and the walian, or chief priest, took up his position 

 in the centre of the group as the director and master of the 

 ceremonies. When everyone was sUent, the children ceased 

 their play and laughter, the walian commenced by calling 

 all the gods to be present on the occasion, and inviting 

 them to eat and drink and to chew the betel. Then he 

 worked himself into a state of frenzy ; his own spirit, it 

 was supposed, left him, and its place was temporarily taken 

 by the spirit of one of the gods. Then in this half-un- 

 conscious hypnotic state, when all around were thrilled with 

 feelings of awe, he would utter the commands of the gods, 

 springing bodily with gigantic leaps into the air, or swaying 

 his arms, filled with long palm leaves, deUvering his words 

 in a dull monotonous sing-song voice or yelling them out 

 with vigour. At last he fell exhausted on his stomach and 

 lay as one dead. The spirit of the gods had fled, and 

 left him without one. Then another priest endeavoured to 

 charm back his spirit by whistling for it as one would for a 

 dog. Then they waited until he again sprang up, this time 

 in a dazed condition, but dumb until after he had drunk 



