The water is poured on, and allowed to boil. The
water in colour resembles pale coffee, and in taste is abominable to a
European palate. The natives, however, esteem it highly, and not only
drink the water, but eat the crust.
* * * * *
One of the great ceremonies of Madagascar, the royal bath-feast, is
described by Madame Pfeiffer. It is celebrated on the Malagasy
New-Year's Day, and has some curious features. On the eve, all the high
officers, nobles, and chiefs are invited to court; and assembling in a
great hall, partake of a dish of rice, which is handed round to each
guest with much solemnity that he may take a pinch with his fingers and
eat. Next day, all reassemble in the same place; and the queen steps
behind a curtain, which hangs in a corner of the room, undresses, and
submits to copious ablutions. Assuming her clothes, she comes forward,
holding in her hand an ox-horn that has been filled with water from her
bath; and this she sprinkles over the assembled company--reserving a
portion for the soldiers drawn up on parade beneath her window.
Throughout the country this day is an occasion of festivity, and dancing,
singing, and feasting are kept up till a late hour. Nor does the revel
end then; it is prolonged for eight days. The people on the first day
are accustomed to kill as many oxen as will supply them with meat for the
whole period; and no man who possesses a herd, however small, fails to
kill at least one for this annual celebration.
Pages:
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130