Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 28, 1917.djvu/362

 330 Collectanea.

against the perils and dangers of the jungle. I have it still in my possession.

If a bunch of hair or hemp is found near the door of the hut where you are staying, they state that this indicates that some witch with evil intent, is pursuing you. To avoid disaster, you must at once obtain some salt (rather difficult to obtain in the forest), and cast a handful to the North, a handful to the South, another to the East and a fourth to the West, repeating a prayer " Maria Santissima . . . ," while so doing, you will then be secure from all witches and demons during the day. At night, however, you must make a cross of two thin sticks and fix them on the door of your hut. Now no evil from witch or demon may be feared.

3. Love Charm.

In common with other parts of the world, these Indians — especially the women — have a number of love charms which are of a varied character. I remember particularly, that small pieces of lodestone (magnetite), were constantly carried by the Indian women in their dresses as love charms. They held that the lode- stone caused their husbands and lovers to be drawn to their sides, and that it retained their love, — even if they were absent for days on a journey.

4. Unlucky Days.

Certain days of the week, e.g. Tuesdays and Fridays, were held to be most unlucky days. No Indian would think of undertaking a journey or of doing any business on either of these days. It is interesting to note how universal is this superstition relating to the ill luck of Fridays. Even in England, many educated people will not set out on a journey on this ill-omened day.

Arthur Brennan, B.Sc.