Research Items

Abstract

DUGONG FISHING IN MADAGASCAB.—M. G. Petit publishes in the Bull, et Mém. Société d'Anthropologie de Paris, T. 8, Sér. 7, fasc. 4-5-6, some further observations on the ritual of dugong fishing in south-west Madagascar. Small light outriggers, extremely mobile, are employed, the fishermen being two in number to each, a harpooner who stands in the bow being in command. Before setting out, the harpooner consults the Sitily as to whether conditions are favourable, and he is provided with a talisman (Ody). This is used first to consecrate a vessel of sea water, and is then placed in the prow and covered with a piece of old net to protect it. The sea water is used to sprinkle the canoe, while invocations are addressed to it, and to the harpoon and its ropes. It is also used to wash the head and hands of the fishermen. As soon as the day for fishing has been fixed, the fishermen must abstain from all contact with their wives, and must not touch food prepared or water drawn by them. The fishermen are in fact in a magical state, of which the serious nature is indicated by the fact that to miss the dugong not only entails misfortune for the village, but will be followed by the death of a member of the fishermen's family. When the animal has been brought to land, its body is scrupulously hidden from the sight of women and children. The body is dismembered by an old man, and the blood carefully collected and divided into three parts, one poured on the sand by the canoe, one into the sea, and the third smeared on the prow of the canoe, the harpoon and the rope. The flesh is eaten on the beach, first by men and, when they are satisfied, by women and children, but no knife, fork, or other utensil must be employed, nor must anyone spit or blow the nose. The carcase must be buried, this being done with ceremony, as neither beast nor bird, but only man, must eat the flesh or pick the bones. If the animal is female, connexion is enjoined on the fishermen, a custom which is found on the east African coast, and in a Chinese account of the Aino of Sakhalin in relation to women-fish, presumably seals.