CUSTOMS OF THE FEEJEE GROUP. 93 



that the god is entering into his body. His limbs next show a violent 

 muscular action, which increases until his whole frame appears con- 

 vulsed, and trembles as if under the influence of an ague fit ; his 

 eyeballs roll, and are distended ; the blood seems rushing with 

 violence to and from his head ; tears start from his eyes ; his breast 

 heaves; his lips grow livid, and his utterance confused. In short, his 

 whole appearance is that of a maniac. Finally, a profuse perspira- 

 tion streams from every pore, by which he is relieved, and the 

 symptoms gradually abate; after this, he again sinks into an atti- 

 tude of quiet, gazing about him from side to side, until suddenly 

 striking the ground with a club, he thus announces that the god has 

 departed from him. Whatever the priest utters while thus excited, 

 is received as a direct response of the gods to the prayers of those 

 who made the offering. The provisions of which the offering is 

 composed are now shared out, and ava prepared. These are eaten 

 and drunk in silence. The priest partakes of the feast, and always 

 eats voraciously, supplying, as it were, the exhaustion he has pre- 

 viously undergone. It is seldom, however, that his muscles resume 

 at once a quiescent state, and they more usually continue to twitch 

 and tremble for some time afterwards. 



When the candidate for the office of ambati has gone successfully 

 through such a ceremony, and the response he gives as from the god 

 is admitted to be correct, he is considered as qualified to be a priest, 

 and takes possession of the mbure. It is, however, easily to be seen, 

 that it is the chief who in fact makes the appointment. The indi- 

 vidual chosen is always on good terms with him, and is but his tool. 

 The purposes of both are accomplished by a good understanding 

 between them. There can be no doubt that those who exercise the 

 office of ambati, and go through the actions just mentioned, are con- 

 summate jugglers ; but they often become so much affected by their 

 own efforts, that the motions of the muscles become in reality in- 

 voluntary, and they have every appearance of being affected by a 

 supernatural agency. 



By the dexterity with which the ambati perform their juggling 

 performances, they acquire great influence over the common people ; 

 but, as before remarked, they are merely the instruments of the chiefs. 

 When the latter are about going to battle, or engaging in any other 

 important enterprise, they desire the priest to let the spirit enter him 

 forthwith, making him, at the same time, a present. The priest 

 speedily begins to shake and shiver, and ere long communicates the 



vol. in. 24 



