The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-01-20

fggsNINIAhN
THE FINAL TEST.
who insist that in the most remote parts
of these republics children are yet sac
ritced as offerings to the serpent, which
is regarded rs the god of voodooism.
AS practiced at this time, voodooism is
very different from the original belief
IL has been so changed and modified by
tho arbitrary acts of different "papabo-
cos and ''mamabocos," as the priests
and Priestesses of the sect are termed.
and who, it may be observed, moved
only in their individual interests, that
the uniformity of tho religion has disap-
peared and given place to fantasy.
Noodoo services are conducted in a
small chapel or house erected for that
purpose in retired places some distance
from towns or settlements, being thus
less likely to be visited by strangers or
other unwelcOme persons, and therefore
more free from observation. In one end
OF the chapel, placed on dais, or, as it
is termed IL throne" is O wooden box,
one side of which is glass. Within is a
serpent, which is the object of reverence
and alteration. When dance" or
meeting, is to be held, the believers as
semble i'll the chapel, there being an
equal number of men and women
dancers, whose costume on such occa-
sions is often long red calico dress or
Mother Hubbard.
When the 'papaboco" is ready to offer
the sacrifice to the serpent, the subject
whose life is to be taken is brought in.
Until few years ago, when the authori-
ties interfered and executed number of
the murderers, the subject was often
small child, but goat has since been
substituted. The animal must be a male
and either entirely white or altogether
black Before the ceremony it is drug
ged by means of leaves of the guatapana
plant. Everything being ready, the
priest holds n bowl under the animals
throat with his left hand, and with his
right sewers its windpipe. The blood is
then served as Il drink to those present,
who by this time are we'll under the in
fiuence of tafia, rs rum is called in Its
first condition after having been pressed
from the sugar cane. Many of the at
tendants, greatly excited by the combin-
ed sight of blood and the taste of tafia.
smear the blood over their faces, while
in some instances the blood is mixed
with gunpowder before being drank.
The 'papaboco" then cuts open the
body Of the beast and removes the heart
and hverf for his own consumption, while
the rest of the carcass is divided among
himself and family and those in attend
ance
10 become initiated into voodOoism il
was formerly required that the candidate
should DO between 80 and 40 years of
age, but an applicant is now accepted
when 90 years old. He is first obliged to
undergo preparatory stage before being
admitted to the sect. This continues for
a period of 40 days, he being primarily
denuded of all of his clothing and given
such rags to replace them as the circum-
stances and the rules require He is then
Kept locked in a room for light days with
out being allowed to see the light of day
and is given frequent baths made with
tabou, or sacred plants and leaves. These
baths must be taken for 40 days and
must always be kept in the same condi-
ton, as the greater the fermentation and
the more the water becomes impregnatcd
with the virtues of the leaves and plants
the moro desirable it is in the eyes of the
priest.
After his so called publication the
candidate is ready to receive his final
initiation. The event takes place before
number of followers of the sect. The
"papaboco" holds in his hand a stick
covered with amulets supposed to pos
sess magic power. The candidate kneels
at the feet of the priest, who makes mys-
f6rlOnQ hin, nd oy1yo Ia,
on one part or another of his body in
tattoo fashion and in such way that
all members Of the sect may thereafter
recognize him.
On Bonded knees the entire assemblage
then invoke the assistance Of the chief
divinity of the sect. After that the "pa-
paboco" orders that the proof of the
flame" be made. The neophyte, quite
naked, is then made to pass and repass
through the high flames of a large fire
built on the ground. Having done so,
he prostrates himself at the feet of the
priest, who pours oil on his burns.
The final part of the ceremony ensues
On the fire several large pots of boiling
water are placed, each containing food
Music is furnished by number of ma
tive drums. The candidate dances. be-
comes more and more excited, runs from
one part of the room to another. throws
himself on the floor, plungcs both hands
into the pots of boiling water and with
draws the food, serving some TO each
person present. This concludes his ac-
i've participation in the ceremony and
the candidate is declared Canzou or
full flelped member Of tho vno1Do c.,ct