The Golden Bough: A Study in Comparative Religion (Vol. 1 of 2)Frazer, James George
Religion
The Golden Bough: A Study in Comparative Religion (Vol. 1 of 2)
Frazer, James George
Magic; Mythology; Religion; Superstition
Again, magic mischief may be wrought upon a man through the remains of the
food he has partaken of, or the dishes out of which he has eaten. Thus the
Narrinyeri in South Australia think that if a man eats of the sacred
animal (totem) of his tribe, and an enemy gets hold of a portion of the
flesh, the latter can make it grow in the inside of the eater, and so
cause his death. Therefore when a man eats of his totem he is careful to
eat it all or else to conceal or destroy the remains.(556) In Tana, one of
the New Hebrides, people bury or throw into the sea the leavings of their
food, lest these should fall into the hands of the disease-makers. For if
a disease-maker finds the remnants of a meal, say the skin of a banana, he
picks it up and burns it slowly in the fire. As it burns the person who
ate the banana falls ill and sends to the disease-maker, offering him
presents if he will stop burning the banana skin.(557) Hence no one may
touch the food which the King of Loango leaves upon his plate; it is
buried in a hole in the ground. And no one may drink out of the king’s
vessel.(558) Similarly no man may drink out of the same cup or glass with
the King of Fida (in Guinea); “he hath always one kept particularly for
himself; and that which hath but once touched another’s lips he never uses
more, though it be made of metal that may be cleansed by fire.”(559)
Amongst the Alfoers of Celebes there is a priest called the _Leleen_,
whose duty appears to be to make the rice grow. His functions begin about
a month before the rice is sown, and end after the crop is housed. During
this time he has to observe certain taboos; amongst others he may not eat
or drink with any one else, and he may drink out of no vessel but his
own.(560)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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