HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
439 
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—General manner of calculating time— 
Means by which it is pretended individual destiny is ascertained. 
The preceding chapter contains an account of the sikidy, 
or the kind of divination universally practised in Mada¬ 
gascar. The subject itself is painfully interesting, as a 
popular form of deception, by which, as in the case of 
infanticide, life is often destroyed under deeply affecting 
circumstances. The following tables shew the method of 
working the sikidy with beans called voafana. 
Table I. 
The names of the sixteen positions or combinations, 
which may be formed in the process. 
Taraika. 
c3 
3 
Vontsira. 
Saka. 
Molahidy. 
Mikiarija. 
Kizo. 
Adikiasajy. 
Asoralahy. 
Asoravavy. 
Alokola. 
1 Aditsimay. 
Adibijady. 
Alemora. 
j Alezany. 
| Adikisy. 
1 
2 
1 
2 
2 
1 
1 
1 
1 
2 
1 
2 
2 
2 
1 
2 
1 
2 
1 
1 
1 
2 
2 
1 
1 
2 
2 
1 
2 
1 
2 
2 
1 
2 
1 
1 
2 
1 
1 
2 
2 
1 
2 
1 
1 
2 
2 
2 
1 
2 
2 
1 
1 
2 
i 
i 
i 
1 
2 
1 
J 
1 
2 
2 
2 
2 
1 
