The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-12-18
THE DEVIL DANCE.
PECGLIAR PERFORM1NCE OF THE
NATIVES OF CEYLoN.
The Singahalese Method of Casting Out
Evil Spirits Weird Spectacle Afforded
by the Frcnzied DaMcers--Its Effect
Upon Possessed Native Woman.


Lady, Poya night. Devil dance.
Lady like see?" 1t was our Appoo
(house servant( who spoke. had COM
inissioned him to acquire all informa-
tion concerning the holding of such
rites, made up of barbarism, supersti-
ton and genuine Oriental occultism.
Yes, Lady would" like see" Ac-
light of the tropical moon, my husband
and I set forth. We had not proceeded
far when we overlook Singahalese aus
trologer, whom I had previously inter-
viewed, and who had acquired renown
for learning, both celestial and ter
.restrial Claiming acquaintance, I con-
sidered my virtue in this respect for
oncerewarded, as his learning" proved
Of valuable assistance In comprehend
ing the strange performances we were
about to witness. First, I was inform
ed this was not only Poya, but Nakl6-
hatan-that is, when a special conf1su-
ration of planets occur and lends weight
to the Importance of the rites as well
as the probability Of success. Secondly,
the occasion was Sanni Yakun Ne
teena, when woman made sick by an
obsessing Demon or made solitary"
as the natives say, was to be dispossess-
ed The scene Of action was among
the cocoanut palms that fringe the sea
coast, some seven miles out of Colombo,
in the vicinity of charming Mount La
vinia,
A goodly company of natives was al
ready assembled, and the Kattadiya
devil priest or charmer) had already
commenced by chanting an invocation
in front of an extemperized altar, call
ell the Nal Bu!at Tatawa. Very pretty
and skilfully constructed was this al
tar; ola leaves, areca or betel flowers,
and the huge blossoms of the cocoanut
palm, which mostly resembles wheat
sheaf, being the principal materials en-
ployed.
The Kattadiya was man of powerful
physique--for a Singahalese singularly
so; a man one would select as per-
son endowed with manetism, will power
and a dominating influence. Neverthe
less, his caste is an extremely low one.
with garland of garulla leaves worn
around his head and loins. The devil
dancers (Netun Karayo) were arrayed
in red and white Jackets with full ac-
Gordon pleated skirts and "paniers"
Some wore masks terrifyingly hideous,
others had their faces daubed with red
and green paint. They also wore garulla
leaves arranged as fans erect on the
brow. These fans swayed to the rhythm
of their movements as they spun, whirl-
ed, and flung themselves about in fran
tic fashion to the measure of the TOM
tom beaters' ear-splitting music. The
spectacle was in keeping with the
frenzy-wild and weird Although the
moon was at full her brilliance was only
occasional, the foliage of the towering |
palms being so dark and dense. To
obviate this half-broken cocoanut shells |
filled with oil in which floated wick
were slung on the trees around. The !
glare as contrasted with the moons soft
light was CHASTITY and dazzling
The dance once begun, terminated but |
to begin again. The possessed woman |
(Taincama), for whom this Yakunne-
tina was held, was now led forth from
a tiny matched hut, occupied by the
fisher caste, by the Kattadiya. I was |
struck first by her exceptionally intelli- I
gen countenace, Their her CLASSY, fixed
and evil looking eyes. The Kattadiya !
addressed the demon" supposed to be
obsessing her. The answer given
through the womans lips, was bias
phemous and defiant The demon de-
clined to quit Brandishng couple
Of torches kept afare by frell rosin
thrown by two attendants, the Katta-
diya then commenced what seemed an
incarnation, gazing 1xedly
into the depths of the Tain
cama's possessed wonlan) ferocous
eyes. For some time not finch or i
dicler. 1t was physically an optic mar
vel how she remained obGurate to the
glare and gaze--without even culver,
Vt the eyelid Aften an hour or SO
he eyelids gradually dropped. and, with
he finale Of the incarnation, were COM
oIctely closed. Saffron mixed with CO.
,oanut oil was next daubed on her brow,
he Kattadiya breathing heavily there
in meanwhile. Apparently she was his
ouppet now, So far as automatic move
nents were concerned. What she did
however she, or the demon" directing,
ebelled against. 1T was as though he
the Kat.adiya) had spun web into
which her body was drawn, though her
mind offered strenuous opposition.
When the dhorjee (wand) was pointed 1
her temples and held there, the {
Wild contortions of resistance ceased.
The was calm, reposeful as a statue.
was there, though, all the 8
anne, subdued for the time being only ! I
OF vanquished
After the tunult Of the. savage mus i
, and the mad spectacle of the frenzied G
ancers the sudden stiffness was a re- 8
eft. although appalling. The monoton- O
ut moan of the sea breaking on the +
oral reefs, and the shrek of a bird of
light or "hyng fox" alone broke the ]
.!cnce. weird, almost awful In its sud /
ell contrast to the late deafening noise p
nd mndding scene. After a while a
gn from the Kattadiya called from p
seven natives, naked save for C
le tinest waistcloths. Each carried a Il
lantain leaf Of curry, besides "beter' a
or chewing), saffron and other spices. o
hese were deposited on the improvised
tar--an offering propitiatory to the |
,n7oae, silence again Then after n