XIV 
CONTENTS. 
CHAP. XIV. 
Extensive prevalence of superstition among the Malagasy—Their general 
belief in the power of charms and frequent use of divination—Mythology 
of the Malagasy—Indefinite ideas of God, of the human soul, and a future 
state—Defective sense of moral responsibility—Worship of tutelary 
gods—Imagined sacredness of the villages in which the idols are kept— 
The idol-keepers—Bearers of the idols in public processions.—Origin and 
appearance of the national and household idols—Homage paid to them 
by the people—Means used in rendering articles otherwise common 
objects of superstitious worship—Temples—Sacred stones—Sacrifices — 
Appeals to idols in the administration of oaths and the ordeals—Names 
of the principal idols—Their supposed antipathies—Anecdotes illustra¬ 
tive of the deceptive pretences of the keepers of the idols—Exposure of 
their deceptions by Radama—Public exhibition of the idols—Visit of 
Radama to the supposed residence of the idols— Import of the names of 
the idol. 387 
CHAP. XV. 
Unfavourable operation of the superstitious opinions of the Malagasy — 
Restrictions imposed by the idols at particular times and seasons—Differ¬ 
ent kinds of sacrifices — Localities in which they are offered—Description 
of the ceremony of sprinkling the people in the presence of the idols— 
Usages observed in sacrificing an ox — The offering of human sacrifices— 
The faditra, or means employed to remove diseases and other evils—The 
afana, or ceremony performed at the tombs as a means of securing repose 
for the dead — Account of the vazimba, their graves, altars, anecdotes 
illustrative of the popular belief respecting them — Influence of fear on 
the minds of the natives—Ideas of the Malagasy respecting a future 
state—Reported appearance of the ghost of Radama — General belief in 
the dominion of supernatural beings — Reported origin of divination— 
Universal confidence of the people in its decisions—'Various modes of 
working the sikidy—Offering charms—The sorona and faditra — Influence 
of witchcraft, prognostications, &c.416 
CHAP. XVI. 
Tables or rules framed by the diviners for working the sikidy with beans— 
Explanation of the mode of divining by means of the foregoing tables or 
rules—Divination also practised with sand—Astrology of the Malagasy— 
Pretended means of ascertaining fortunate and unfortunate days—Calcu¬ 
lating the destiny of individuals—Supposed Arabian origin of astrology 
and divination among the Malagasy—Names of the moons or months— 
Division of each moon or month—Diagram of the months by which des¬ 
tinies are calculated, or events foretold—Difference of the calendars used 
on the coast and in the interior—Manner of calculating time—Means 
by which it Is pretended individual destiny is ascertained. 439 
