Items related to The Last ACT
Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1876 edition. Excerpt: ...of their Nation. Even from the time of the first Chechemecan kings aromatic preparations were in use among those nations to preserve dead bodies from speedy corruption; but we do not know that these were very frequent. HOTTENTOTS. A Hottentot is taken to some cave or cleft in a neighbouring rock, and there left; the entrance being carefully closed up with stones, to prevent the body being devoured by wild beasts. GUINEA. When a native of Guinea expires his wives and relations commence howling hideously. They next proceed to shave their heads, and smear a chalky substance over their bodies, as outward tokens of their despair. The body is dressed in its best attire, with its most valuable coral ornaments, scimitar, and other articles of personal adornment, then laid in a coffin, with its fetiches beside it. THE TONQUINESE. The Tonquinese burn the body, and deposit the ashes in cinerary urns. THE CONGOESE. The Congoese kindle fires round the body at a sufficient distance to preserve it from ignition, and as fast as the moisture is absorbed by the clothes, they renew them till the body is completely dried. It is then buried with great pomp. t MADAGASCAR. The Afana is performed at the grave of a person lately buried, and consists of slaughtering cattle and feasting, accompanied with firing of muskets or cannon. The skulls of the slaughtered cattle are fixed on poles at the head of the tomb. This is done to take evil from the dead, that he may repose in peace. The Malagasy (the inhabitants of Madagascar) believe that when the body dies the mind becomes "levona," i.e., varnished, invisible, and that the life becomes "rivotra," air, or wind, a mere breeze. Chicanery, lying, and cheating, are considered but very light offences,...
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