88 CUSTOMS OF THE FEEJEE GROUP. 
ously in a semicircle, the open side of which is occupied by the person 
who prepares the ava. This mode of sitting is intended as an act of 
humiliation on the part of the chiefs, which is considered as acceptable 
to the gods. When all is prepared, the principal chief, if the occasion 
be a great one, presents a whale’s tooth. The priest receives this in 
his hands, and contemplates it steadily, with downcast eyes, remaining 
perfectly quiet for some time. In a few minutes distortions begin to 
be visible in his face, indicating, as they suppose, that the god is enter- 
ing into his body. His limbs next show a violent muscular action, 
which increases until his whole frame appears convulsed, and trembles 
as if under the influence of an ague fit; his eyeballs roll, and are dis- 
tended; 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 perspiration streams from every pore, by 
which he is relieved, and the symptoms gradually abate; after this, he 
again sinks into an attitude 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 previously 
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 involun- 
tary, and they have every appearance of being affected by a super- 
natural agency. 
By the dexterity with which the ambati perform their juggling 
performances, they acquire great influence over the common people; 
