86 
MADAGASCAR. 
lamba, and placed in the fasana, which on the 
coast consists of a hollowed tree. The coffin is 
then conveyed to the forest with shoutings and 
tumult, and placed beside the remains of the 
deceased relatives upon the ground. No grave 
is dug, but a fence of stakes is erected around the 
spot to preserve the remains from the attacks of 
wild animals. In the central province the tombs 
are of stone, and more elaborately prepared and 
garnished. 
Upon the death of a sovereign the whole 
nation goes into mourning, and every person has 
to shave his head and uncover the shoulders, 
and wear a blue or dark-purple lamba for a long 
period. The people are expected to assume a 
dejected appearance, and to meet daily at the 
house of the chief man in every village and town 
throughout the island to bewail for a stated time 
the departure of their king or queen. Upon the 
decease of a man of wealth, all his slaves repair 
to the courtyard of his residence and wail for 
hours, with streaming eyes and flowing hair, 
uttering most melancholy cries, expressive of 
bereavement and despair. At a given signal 
these cries are hushed, and are quickly succeeded 
by shouts of laughter and glee, as all prepare to 
partake of the funeral feast. 
The serpent is honoured by the people in 
some parts of the island with a superstitious 
