0024

Their Manner of Praying with Rattles About the Fire

When they have escaped any great danger by sea or land, or be returned from the war, in token of joy they make a great fire about which the men and women sit together holding a certain fruit in their hands. This is like unto a round pumpkin or a gourd, which after they have taken out the fruits and the seeds, they fill with small stones or certain big kernels to make the more noise, and fasten that upon a stick. Thus, and singing after their manner, they make merry: as I myself observed and noted down at my being among them. For it is a strange custom, and worth the observation.

Monday, 15-May-95 14:17:42 PDT