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may now also say that it occurs periodically from almost the verv commence 

 ment of the ceremonies until their end. 



At the conclusion of some Performance — it does not seem to be con- 

 fined to either kind — the old men rush towards the novices, follovved by the 

 others. Each man rythmically moves his hands alternately from himself to the 

 novices, palm upwards, as if he were scooping something from himself to them, 

 at the same time emphatically keeping time with the word nga (good); the 

 novices on their part, as also the kabos, move their hands as if they were 

 drawing something towards themselves. When this has gone on for a short time 

 the old men cease, and utter the emphatic words, Yah! Huh! Wah! at each 

 word making a downward motion of the hands towards to boys. 



This is said to be done for the purpose of making the boys „so that 

 Daramulun likes them u , and I feel there can be no doubt that the idea is that 

 the magic influences of the ceremonies is thus passed to the boys, and „clinched u 

 by the emphatic motion of the hands. In other words, the boys are filled with 

 the influence and made acceptable to the Great Spirit Daramulun, who instituted 

 these ceremonies, and who-is supposed to watch them whenever performed. 



These proceedings go on until far into the night, and at early dawn the 

 magic fire is replenished, and for a time the magic dances are repeated. Düring 

 the day the men rest, or go out to hunt, and the boys remain closely covered 

 with their rugs in Charge of their guardians. 



At night the ceremonies recommence, and are a repetition such as those 

 which I have described. When it is considered that they have lasted long 

 enough, the final ceremonies of the return procession are commenced. 



The magic fire is covered up with earth and rubbish, and carefully trampled 

 down and extinguished — finally by the emphatic downward motion of the hands. 

 But before this some dry bark has been cut; pieces are placed in pairs together, 

 and being tied at the ends with a few leafy twigs, are lighted at the magic fire. 

 One of these fire — sticks is given to each of the novices, in order that he may 

 carry it with him and light the fire which he is to use during the time of his 

 probation. It is believed that the emission to do this would cause fearful and 

 destructive storms. 



During the return there are certain ceremonies of which the following may 

 serve as an example. The procession being formed, and on the march from the 

 magic camp, the roaring of the nudji is heard and a halt is made. The old men, 

 having carefully cleared a piece of ground, proceed to mould in earth, in high 

 relief, the life — sized figure of a naked m m in the attitude of the dance. He 

 is represented as having his mouth filled with „magic substances", and in the 

 füll ceremonies is surramded by an assortment of the native weapons. This is 

 Daramulun. The novices are brought and placed in front of this figure and the 



