Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 13, 1902.djvu/155

Rh ment as that used in the palm-blossom performance. At the close of the invocation the magician whispers, so to speak, into the fish-trap's ear, bidding it not to disgrace him, but rise up and dance; and presently the fish-trap begins to rock to and fro, and to leap about in a manner which, of course, proves it to be possessed by the spirits.

The invocation used on the east coast is a much more elaborate affair than that used in the western states, and as it is important to the argument, as well as graphic, I give it verbatim:

Old Mother Banding, I know your origin! Old Mother Banding, Vou sprang from the bamboo-clump, on the lonely sand-bank. Old Mother Banding, Your pointed growing-shoots came From the earth's forefinger, This stem of yours proceeded From the 'Prince' that standeth. Your branches came From the 'Prince' that spreadeth. Your foliage sprang from The sheath of palm-blossom. Descend now hitherwards From the lofty mountain. What are you looking for? Looking for hot embers As well as incense. Here you have embers As well as incense. What are you looking for? Looking for my skirt-cloth As well as my jacket. Here is your skirt-cloth As well as your jacket. Now you are going To the booths of the Chinamen, Looking for palm-wine, As well as hemp-juice. Here is your palm-wine As well as hemp-juice.