The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion (Third Edition, Vol. 10 of 12)Frazer, James George
Religion
The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion (Third Edition, Vol. 10 of 12)
Frazer, James George
Magic; Mythology; Religion; Superstition
(M9) Next day the mango is taken down from the platform, wrapt in new
mats, and carried by the fasting men to their sleeping house, where it is
hung from the roof. But after an interval, it may be of many months, the
tree is brought forth again. As to the reason for its reappearance in
public opinions are divided; but some say that the tree itself orders the
master of the ceremonies to bring it forth, appearing to him in his dreams
and saying, “Let me smell the smoking fat of pigs. So will your pigs be
healthy and your crops will grow.” Be that as it may, out it comes,
conducted by the fasting men in their dancing costume; and with it come in
the solemn procession all the pots, spoons, cups and so forth used by the
fasting men during their period of holiness or taboo, also all the refuse
of their food which has been collected for months, and all the fallen
leaves and chips of the mango in their bundles of mats. These holy relics
are carried in front and the mango tree itself brings up the rear of the
procession. While these sacred objects are being handed out of the house,
the men who are present rush up, wipe off the hallowed dust which has
accumulated on them, and smear it over their own bodies, no doubt in order
to steep themselves in their blessed influence. Thus the tree is carried
as before to the centre of the temporary village, care being again taken
not to let it touch the ground. Then one of the fasting men takes from a
basket a number of young green mangoes, cuts them in pieces, and places
them with his own hands in the mouths of his fellows, the other fasting
men, who chew the pieces small and turning round spit the morsels in the
direction of the setting sun, in order that “the sun should carry the
mango bits over the whole country and everyone should know.” A portion of
the mango tree is then broken off and in the evening it is burnt along
with the bundles of leaves, chips, and refuse of food, which have been
stored up. What remains of the tree is taken to the house of the master of
the ceremonies and hung over the fire-place; it will be brought out again
at intervals and burned bit by bit, till all is consumed, whereupon a new
mango will be cut down and treated in like manner. The ashes of the holy
fire on each occasion are gathered by the people and preserved in the
house of the master of the ceremonies.(22)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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