II.—The Sixteen Figures of the Sikidy. Having finished his invocation, the diviner began to work the sikìdy (lit. "to raise it up"), taking beans or fàno seeds, and arranging them on a mat on the floor according to rules to be presently explained. These beans or seeds must be represented by dots. They were as follows:—
Hova Names.
Sàkalàva.
Arabs of E. Africa.
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1. Jamà (or Zomà) Asombòla Asombòla
2. Alàhizàny Alizàha Alahòty
3. Asòralàhy Asòralàhy Alasàdy
4. Votsìra (= Vontsìra) Karìja Tabàta horòjy
5. Taraiky Taraiky Asàratàny
6. Sàka Alakaosy Tàbadahìla
7. Asòravàvy Adabàra Afaoro
8. Alikìsy Alikìsy Alijàdy
9. Aditsimà (Aditsimay) Alatsimay Alizaoza
10. Kìzo Alakaràbo Alakaràbo
11. Adikasàjy Bétsivòngo Adizòny
12. Vànda mitsàngana (= Mikarìja) Adàlo Alàhamàly
13. Vànda miòndrika (= Mòlahidy) Alahòtsy Alakaosy
14. Alokòla Alikòla Adàlo (?)
15. Alaimòra Alìhimòra Alìhimòra
16. Adibijàdy Alabiàvo Bihiàva
The names in the first row are those in use in the interior; the order seems immaterial, but that here followed seems most systematic, commencing with the fullest form ((
symbol characters)), and taking away one bean (or dot) for each figure until only four ((symbol characters)) are left, and then adding one again to each, by which proceeding we get the first eight figures. The next eight are formed by placing twos and ones in various combinations. The theory of the whole is evidently that not more than eight beans can be used in any figure, and that all of the figures must contain four in length (or height), while there may be two or one in breadth. The names in the second and third columns were obtained from an Arab trader, and are, several of
