| caption: |
significance of gate at Merema |
| text: |
1. The gate is of the utmost importance to the village. At times of feud, it is the starting point of a raid and as the warriors issue through it, each invokes the gate and seeks its aid and protection (?) |
| text: |
2. A gate is only properly or completely installed when all the ritual has been finished, the ritual invests it with magical (?) qualities - (sanctifies it ?) - if a stranger is caught touching it with a knife or spear, he is immediately beaten - if he escapes, a special ceremony is held to curse him. |
