362 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
the bath, he repeats, Samba, samba, no tratra hariva taona f 
—“ Happy, happy, we have reached the eve of the year.” 
All present then exclaim, Trarantitra!—“ Reach a good 
old age!” At this moment the cannons are fired, and 
the king, having brought with him from the bath a horn 
filled with water considered sacred, pours a little into his 
hand, and sprinkles all present within reach, after which 
he resumes his seat, all continuing to repeat Trarantitra. 
He then receives the hasina from members of his famil}^ 
and from any foreigners who may be present. 
During this part of the ceremon}^ three culinary vessels 
are brought in, and placed upon a fire arranged and 
attended by a person appointed to that office. They con¬ 
tain rice and beef; the latter being the portion kept 
specially from the fandroana of the last year. Some rice 
and honey are then placed on silver dishes, a portion of 
the beef on the rice, and the whole is then handed round, 
that each individual may take a small quantity. In taking it, 
every one repeats the word samba, “happy, ” or “blessed,” as 
before, placing also a little rice and honey upon his head, 
and repeating nearly the same words, Samba, samba Andria- 
manitra Andriananahary—“Blessed, blessed be the lord 
god.” This custom is called tatao, and signifies perfect 
concord amongst the parties concerned. 
The assembly, after this, breaks up, and the court-yard 
is deserted by the dense crowd. All then bathe; every 
parent acting the part of priest for his own household, and 
performing on a small scale what had just been completed 
by the king. Weeping for their friends and relations who 
may have died during the past year, then follows; and the 
whole country becomes a Ramah, where lamentations and 
mourning are heard in every house. Heads of families 
recount also to their households the deeds of former days—* 
