Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review Volumes 32 and 33.djvu/719

 in South- West China. 409

defamation ! Keep away all that is injurious ! " When a second sacrifice was made the old door was thrown away. It was never burnt or destroyed. It was allowed to rot wherever it was thrown.

Originally amongst the Miao there were very few surnames. Connected with each surname there are small variations of the above form of worship. With each name there appear to be associated very definite ceremonies. The families bearing the surname of Hmao-tang and Hmao-cheh at the time of worship, open and close the door three times, saying : " May we become rich. May our children be numerous ! May our cattle multiply ! " The Hmao-ngleh family could sacrifice either a small female pig, which had not given birth to a litter, or a small castrated male pig. One branch of the Hmao-glah family before partaking of the sacrificial meal set out five wooden basins close to the fire. In these bowls were placed small slices of meat from the liver, the stomach, the heart and from each of the limbs of the pig. Then, the head of the household, squatting on the ground, took a small bamboo, about three feet long, in the left hand, and with the right hand he severally raised each bowl, and crossing his arms he called upon his ancestors, whether they were to the East or the West or the South or the North, to come and receive the sacrificial meat now offered to them. At the completion of the sacrifice this bamboo was placed lengthwise over the lintel of the door. When in future years further offerings were made the bamboo was again used. At the decease of the sacrificant this bamboo was placed on (not in) his grave. A man used his bamboo throughout his lifetime, but a second generation had its own bamboo.

Three basins, or seven or nine, could be used, but it was essential that an odd and not an even number of basins be employed.

A few members of the " Hmao-glah " family collected the ashes of the burnt bones and sprinkled such under the bedstead and at the side of the house (inside) facing the front. This is a late and rare innovation. The majority of Miao never use a bedstead.

Should there be a guest staying in a house where the sacrifice