86 CUSTOMS OF THE FEEJEE GROUP. 
offering of food or cloth. This form of superstition is the cause of an 
aversion to go abroad at night, and particularly when it is dark. 
It is also a general belief, that the spirit of a celebrated chief may, 
after death, enter into some young man of the tribe, and animate him 
to deeds of valour. Persons thus distinguished are pointed out as 
highly favoured; in consequence, they receive great respect, and their 
opinions are treated with much consideration, besides which, they have 
many personal privileges. 
In general, the passage from life to death is considered as one from 
pain to happiness, and I was informed, that nine out of ten look for- 
ward to it with anxiety, in order to escape from the infirmities of old 
age, or the sufferings of disease. 
The deities whom we have named are served by priests, called 
ambati, who are worshipped in buildings denominated mbure, or spirit- 
houses. Of such buildings each town has at least one, and often 
several, which serve also for entertaining strangers, as well as for 
holding councils and other public meetings. In these mbures, images 
are found ; but these, although much esteemed as ornaments, and held 
sacred, are not worshipped as idols. They are only produced on great 
occasions, such as festivals, &c. 
The ambati, or priests, have great influence over the people, who 
consult them on all occasions, but are generally found acting in concert 
