HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
183 
to the waist—then from the waist to the knees—and, finally, 
from the knees to the sole of the foot. 
A hole is now dug in the north-east corner of the house, 
in which a stem of the banana-tree is planted, and on it an 
earthen lamp is fixed, to burn during the night. Great 
attention is paid to the fixing of the stem, that the height 
may be proper, and the lamp made fast. The stem of the 
banana is consecrated by water, sweetened with honey, 
being poured into the hole and upon the stem. Large 
silver chains are now placed in the rice-fan, and a portion 
of the sacred honey and water is poured on them, by which 
they are supposed to be consecrated or separated for the 
ceremony. The rice pounder is also introduced. A small 
quantity of the honey and water is then given to each of 
the children, and the person presenting it pronounces 
benedictions on them, the silver chains in the mean time 
being rattled in the rice-fan. The benedictions are of this 
kind, “ May the children prosper in the world !—may they 
have spacious houses, well filled with silver and slaves !— 
may their cattle be too numerous for their folds, and may 
their property be great!—if stones are thrown at them, 
may they escape uninjured! and if stoning others, may 
they effect their purpose !—if attempted to be seized, may 
they elude the grasp ! and if seizing others, may they 
fasten on them!—if pursued by others, may they not be 
caught! and if pursuing others, may they take them !—and 
may they be beloved by the king and the people!” 
The benedictions are repeated several times; not, how¬ 
ever, by direct words, but by the more expeditious mode 
of numbers, (like the easy mode of praying by counting 
beads,) merely saying, one, two—two, three—three, four— 
up to ten, and frequently repeating these associated units. 
During all this time, the people hum and repeat, prolong 
