HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
455 
A specific faditra is appointed, as the case may require. 
It will be sufficient to notice a few of these. 
As the vava of Alahamady is unlucky, the faditra must 
be a piece of odinato, (wood used in dyeing red,) and the 
flowers (a beautiful scarlet) of the songo songo, and the 
offerer repeats, “ The offering of what is red, for fear of the 
thunder-bolt, and for fear of being shot, or speared, &c., I 
offer this, which is red, to keep it away,—let this avert it.” 
The opening of the second month is unlucky. Of any 
one born on this day, it is predicted that his house will 
be burnt when he arrives at maturity. His relations must, 
therefore, erect a shed in the fields, or cattle-folds, and 
burn it; and if any ask them why they are doing that, they 
are to answer, It is offered as a means of prevention; 
this house is offered to avert evil, it is demanded by the 
populace, and we offer it; let the evil be removed, let it 
be averted with this.” A short prayer is also offered, 
“ Lord god, let the evil depart; let it be freed with this.” 
The opening of Adizaoza is unlucky, and a poison is 
suspected, especially in their food, called Voankanina, 
(seed, or fruit in food.) The faditra, to avert this, consists 
of a seed or fruit, which is hung up as directed. They 
must then say, 66 This disease will injure him. Behold, 
lord god, the disease would hurt or kill; let it be averted 
with this.” 
Both the vava and vody of the next month, the fourth, 
are unlucky, and the vintana must be withdrawn, as it 
would deform a person; i. e. his property would be but 
transient. The faditra is a piece of striped cloth, (lamha 
sampona,) partly beautiful, and partly the reverse, as an 
emblem of deformity. Something green that grows in 
winter must also be offered, as implying that which is 
stunted and imperfect. 
