The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-08-21
DARK MADAGASCAR.
Strange Customs and Superstitions...
A Picturesque Dance.

A correspondent of the Springfield
Republican. writing from the interior
of Madagascar, says:
One of the most curious customs
practiced by the Sakalavas is kind of
Incarnation and dance. called the Sala-
manga, to induce tho spirit of evil.
which they believe possesses every one
who is i'll. to leave the body in which it
has entered. To drive out this spirit
many forms are gone through under
the direction of q sorcorer. In all
Sakalava towns there is a place ar
ranged for the driving out of evil spir-
its. A platform about seven feet long
and three feet broad is supported
twenty-five feet in the air by straight
up-and-down ladder constructed on one
of the poles. Two more perpendicular
poles stand at either end OF the plat
form. and about twelve feet from it.
At the tops of these last two poles
charms are tied. and on the ground
leaning against them, two wooden
idols are placed. When spirit is TO
be driven out, wood is brought to this
place and arrangements are made for
building fires round the circle inclosing
the scaffolding and idols. Oxen and
bullocks are also brought and secured
near the escaffolding. the number depend
ing upon the rank of the sick person.
As night approaches the invalid is
brought out. arranged in full dress,
and hoisted upon the platform. The
cattle arc then killed and their blood
smeared over the two idols. and also
over the bodies of the people collected
about the place. AS the sun goes down
the fires are lighted, and drums and
bamboos are beaten. A circle is then
formed around tho scaffoldiny and
idols. and tho people. shouting and
screaming, begin to circle around in
kind of dance, first slowly, then faster
and faster. until they are nearly crazy.
AT the same time spears are thrown
high in the air and the idols are struck
at again and again in order to force
the gods to act.
All have ON their dress ornaments,
and the sorcerer. under whose direc-
ton tho affair is being conducted,
usually wears q very high hat. gorge
ously trimmed and decked with leaves
and flowers. AS the dance continues
the screaming suddenly stops, and wo-
men and girls begin 10 sing in a mo-
notonous refrain. After the general
dance the people fall back out of tho
ring, and woman OF rank. throwing
off nearly all her clothing, steps with
in the circle OF fire and begins TO
dance, Keeping time 10 the drums and
bamboos, which make terrible din.
This performance is often repeated
several times before the sick person is
given up. Upon one occasion, in order
to keep in the good graces of the peo-
pie, your correspondent was obliged to
take part in this dance. An invalid
who does not get any better after re-
peated attempts to drive out the evil
| spirit, is often treated in most bar
barous manner; poison is either admin
istered or spear driven through the
breast This last cure from misery is
usually resorted to by request Of the
! invalid.
The Sakalavas have another peculiar
and picturesque dance which takes
place by moonlight-usually upon the
nights of the full moon. Drums arc
beaten, bamboos and horns are blown.
and the whole village is turned out.
All the men then form in an open
space, which serves US akind of parade
ground. Tho music continues and the
|
representing the various movements
assumed in battle. There is the at-
tack, the conflict, the pursuit and the
victory. All are shown by kind Of
acting. Their spears, which arc very
long and bright, glisten in the moon
light as they are repeatedly hurled up
in the air and caught again in one
hand, while colored scarf of some
| L. = -, ha To hn
whole performance WAS strange and
exciting, and. undoubtedly, it is very
inspiring to the savage Sakalavas.
Later in the evening the women and
children join In the dance. and singing
and chanting begins. Upon these war
dance nights large amount of native
rum is consumed, and sometimes sew
eral people are killed. This dancing,
singing and spreeing always lasts
throughout the whole night.
In this land, where superstition,
treachery and murder predominate, it
is not strnnge that funerals are con-
stantly occurring. and that the etrang-
est and most revolving performances
are indulged in upon these occasions.
The frst funeral which l witnessed
was that of man of no particular
rank or position. As the corpse was
being carried along it was followed by
q rabble of mourners. who were NIL
screaming and yelling. AT intervals
along The road the corpse was placed
on The ground and Il series Of athletic
4 games were commenced. in which
spear exercise was the most prominent.
When the place of burial was reached
the corpse WAS thrown naked into u
shallow grave and then covered up
with earth. A large pile Of rocks was
then placed over the grave. Some
pieces of silver and few other articles
were buried with the body In order to
give the ghost start in the next
world. When people of rank are
buried the ceremony is moro extensive
and somewhat different At the death
OF a chiof the great bulk of his cattle
arc killed and his wives are obliged to
cat of their hair and otherwise disfigure
themselves.
A coffin is made by cutting q log
somewhat longer than the corpse. This
lo2 is split lengthwisc. followed out,
and the body placed within. The
funeral ceremonies are never complete
until the succeeding chief has captured
q town or fought battle in which
blood has boon shed. Whenever q
great sorccrcr. or person of more
than ordinary distinction, departs this
} life. his body is allowed to decompose
. before burial. 1t is covered with aro'
/ matte substances and placed on Q
} bamboo platform in the sun. where il
is left for several days. The decompo
, sition produces a putrefying liquid
: which is caught in earthen vessels
: placed under the platform. This horri
} bio liquid is then divided among those
} present Each receives the liquid il
his hand and quickly rubs it oil ovel
: his body. After this revolving per
. formance the body Is wrapped In I
r kind Of cloth and buried with variou
= ceremonies.
The greatest whispering gallery