The back of each is then covered with a thick coating of blood, which is allowed to congeal. One man then marks on the back with his thumb the spots where the incisions are to be made. One is made in the middle of the neck, and others—distant from one another about one-third of an inch—in rows running from each shoulder down to the hip. These incisions—about an inch in length, and in course of time forming a swelling—are called Manka, and are always considered with great respect, never being spoken of in the presence of women or children. The other incisions, which at an early age are made on the breast and the arms, are merely for ornament, and have no sacred meaning. The more or less decided character of these swellings affords a certain indication of the probable age of a native. During manhood they are strong and well defined, but with the advance of age they are less distinctly marked; and at a great age they appear as scars only.
Although each incision made with the chip of quartzite has to be repeated several times, in order that the cut may be deep enough, and the flesh drawn asunder, the novices, notwithstanding the great pain inflicted, do not utter a groan or move a muscle. Mr. Wilhelmi states, however, that Mr. Schürmann has seen some of their friends so moved by compassion for their sufferings as to shed tears, and to attempt—of course unsuccessfully—to put a stop to the process.
During the operation as many men as can approach press round the lads, and repeat rapidly in a subdued tone the following formula:—
Kannaka kanya, marra marra,
Karndo kanya, marra marra,
Pilberri kanya, marra marra.
They repeat these words—as far as known, void of sense or meaning of any kind, and supposed to have been uttered on like occasions by their forefathers—with the object of deadening the pain and preventing any dangerous effects of this dreadful laceration. When the operation is concluded, the young men are raised up, and they are allowed to open their eyes; and the first objects they perceive are two men, who, stamping their feet and biting their beards, run towards them, hurling the Witarna[1] with great vehemence, with the intention apparently of throwing it at their heads; but finally, when sufficiently near, they cease to whirl it, and satisfy themselves with putting the cord of the instrument round the necks of the lads one after the other.
When the lads have gone through the several degrees described by Mr. Wilhelmi, they are permitted to wear the ornaments belonging to men. To each is presented a belt made of human hair; and a tight bandage round each of their upper arms, a cord of opossum hair around the neck, the ends dropping down on the back and fastened to the belt, and a bunch of green leaves above
- ↑ The Witarna is a piece of wood eighteen inches in length, four inches in breadth, and a quarter of an inch in thickness. It is tied to a long string, and the native swings it about his head in such a manner as to produce a low rumbling sound at intervals—ceasing and returning with each effort of the performer. The Witarna is carefully hidden from the women and children, and when they hear the sound of it they know that the men are engaged in some secret ceremonies, and that they are to keep away from them.—C. Wilhelmi.
