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HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
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, 
illustrations 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. 
After the enumeration of the chief idols of the Malagasy, 
and the description of their supposed characters and quali 
ties, it appears unnecessary to specify farther in detail what 
are the peculiar attributes of each or any of the idols, 
which, differing widely in the sphere of influence assigned 
them, resemble each other in their supposed antipathies 
and in their prohibitions. All appear to have an aversion 
to the meat distributed at funerals and the ordeals. Several 
prohibit onions, some goats and pigs, and some few sheep, 
while the greatest number prohibit some particular kinds 
of herbs, fruits, and shell-fish. Most of them forbid their 
keepers to enter any house in which there may be a 
corpse, and to sit with their feet towards the east in the 
house where the idol is kept;—an injunction arising from 
