The Golden Bough (Third Edition, Vol. 7 of 12) - Mirrors

117figures, some of whom executed war-dances; but the weight oftheir leafy envelope was such that they soon grew tired, andthough they leaped high, they uttered none of the wild warwhoopswhich usually accompany these martial exercises. Whendarkness fell, the dances ceased and were replaced by a littledrama representing a boar brought to bay by a pack of hounds.The part of the boar was played by an actor wearing a woodenboar's head mask, who ran about on all fours and grunted in a [096]life-like manner, while the hounds, acted by young men, snarled,yelped, and made dashes at him. The play was watched withlively interest and peals of laughter by the spectators. Later in theevening eight disguised girls danced, one behind the other, withslow steps and waving arms, to the glimmering light of torchesand the strains of a sort of jew's harp. 318The rites which accompany the sowing of the fields are no Rites at hoeing.sooner over than those which usher in the hoeing begin. Likethe sowing ceremonies, they are inaugurated by a priestess, whohoes the sacred field round about a sacrificial stage and then callsupon other people to complete the work. After that the holy fieldis again sprinkled with a decoction of herbs. 319But the crowning point of the Kayan year is the New Year The Kayan Newfestival. The harvest has then been fully housed: abundancereigns in every family, and for eight days the people, dressed outin all their finery, give themselves up to mirth and jollity. Thefestival was witnessed by the Dutch explorer Dr. Nieuwenhuis.To lure the good spirits from the spirit land baskets filled withprecious objects were set out before the windows, and thepriestesses made long speeches, in which they invited thesebeneficent beings to come to the chief's house and to stay thereduring the whole of the ceremonies. Two days afterwards oneof the priestesses harangued the spirits for three-quarters of anhour, telling them who the Kayans were, from whom the chief's318 A. W. Nieuwenhuis, op. cit. i. 167-169.319 A. W. Nieuwenhuis, op. cit. i. 169.Year festival.Offerings andaddresses to thespirits. Sacrifice ofpigs.