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Where the ceremonies are performed in secret, it will 
-obviously be difficult to obtain a full account, or to witness 
them, but much insight into their purpose may be gained by 
judicious and persistent inquiry. 
I. Are any ceremonies of initiation performed ? (a) for 
boys ? (b) for girls ? 2. At what age, or period of life, do 
they occur? 3. Is there any visible sign borne by those 
who have undergone the ordeal ? (mutilation, addition to 
dress, or ornament, tattooing, &c.) 4. Are the ceremonies 
secret from all but the initiated ? 5. Are women permitted 
to be present at the initiation of boys ? 6. Or men at that 
of girls ? 7. What preparation is exacted from the candi 
dates ? (fasting, isolation, &c.) 8. Do the ceremonies take 
place at a particular time of the year or month, and why ? 
9. How long do they last ? and are they continuous, or 
separated by intervals ? 10. Where are the ceremonies per¬ 
formed ? in the village, or at a special place apart? 11. Are 
any special dresses or disguises worn by the performers ? 
Describe them. 12. Are any implements used on these 
occasions which are obsolete in daily life ? (e.g. y stone imple¬ 
ments among an iron-using people). 13. Is the name of the 
individual changed on his initiation ? and does the name then 
given last during life? 14. Is it thought unlucky, after 
initiation and change of name, to mention the name 
previously borne? 15. Is any special or cryptic form of 
language taught to the initiated ? or are words not in the 
ordinary language used at the ceremonies? 16. Have the 
initiated any pass-words or signs ? 17. Do these signs extend 
beyond the tribe ? (e.g. : to a neighbouring tribe having 
similar, but not identical, ceremonies). 18. Are there grades 
of initiation ? 19. Do these indicate distinctions in social 
rank ? or can an individual of low rank pass through all in 
the course of time ? 20. During the ceremonies, is there any 
pretence of putting the candidate to death ? and what reason 
is assigned for this.? 21. What ordeals has the candidate to 
undergo ? 22. Is he isolated from the tribe for some period 
after his initiation ? 23. Is he to prove his ability to provide 
