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cult of Ghawang the sky god; fishing and hunting magic |
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As it was said that the Ang of Chi would come this afternoon a whole lot of people gathered at my bungalow. The Ang finally did not come but I heard many interesting things (232) about the cult of Ghawang the sky god for which the presence and controlling scrutiny of so many people was only welcome. The matter started out with my question whether fishing, which is a major activity here, is connected with any ceremonies or gennas. No. For fishing no puja or genna is made. The people go to the river early in the morning, fish all day and get home late at night. "Yes, but you do make a puja when you go hunting and you also say a few genna words". (Compare page 163) "True. For a hunt a genna is performed. Before we go hunting we say 'Ghawang make that we meet boars and wild pigs on our way' in addition a man can sacrifice a chicken and in his house sprinkle the blood on the skulls of previously caught pigs". (See also page 163). "But if the hunter injures an animal and it gets away he believes that Ghawang is angry with him and he goes home and sacrifices a chicken and says 'Ghawang let me have it tomorrow'. |
