HOONITAN CHARMS. 



71 



same time pronouncing some short charms in a voice a little more 

 audible than usual. And after all, if the woman dies, it only con- 

 firms the truth of what they had but surmised at first. 



In most Hooniyan charms, a small image made of wax or wood, 

 or a figure drawn upon a leaf or something else, supposed to re- 

 present the person intended to be injured, is necessary. A few 

 hairs of his head, some chippings of his finger nails, and a thread 

 or two from a cloth worn by him, and sometimes a handful of sand 

 from a place on which he has left his footprint, are also required, 

 when the image is submitted to the Jeewama, especially in Hooni- 

 yans directed against parties intending to marry. Also Pas Lo or 

 five metals, that is nails made of a composition of five different 

 kinds of metals, generally gold, silver, copper, tin, and lead, are 

 driven into the image at all those points, which represent the joints, 

 the heart, the head, and other important parts of the body. The 

 name of the intended victim is also marked on the image. After 

 the Jeewama, this image is buried in the ground in some suitable 

 place, such as under the stile of the garden fence, or in some other 

 spot, where the intended victim is likely to "pass over"* it. 

 This "passing over" is essential to the success of a large majority 

 of Hooniyan charms. After this, the image is either left in the 

 same place, or is taken out and secreted in some other place accord- 

 ing to the directions in the charm itself. In the case of some Hooni- 

 yanSj which however form but a small minority, this " passing over " 

 is not needed ft all, as, for instance, in those intended to produce 

 tmpotency in a man. 



To ensure greater certainty of success to a Hooniyan charm, 

 other precautions are also sometimes taken, such as ascertaining 

 from the horoscope of the party the particular season or day or 



ed as a part of a demon ceremony, is done in a particular manner; the lime is 

 placed between the two blades of the Arecanut Cutter, where it is held firmly 

 by slightly pressing with the fingers the two ends or handle of the " Cutter," 

 while the charm is being pronounced over it. Then, as the last word or 

 syllable of the charm is being pronounced, and before its sound can have time 

 to die away, the fruit is at once cut in two by a single effort. 

 * Panna-wana-wa is the Singhalese term for this. 



