Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 2.djvu/292

 248 RELIGION OF BALI. preceded iheBadi, in vehicles of a particular form, holding each in one hand a cord attached to the Badi, as if giving to understand that they led the deceased to heaven, and ringing in the other a little bell, while such a noise of go^igs, ta- bours, flutes, and other instruments, is made, that the whole ceremony has less the air of a funeral procession than of a joyous village festival. "When the dead body had passed the funeral piles arranged in its route, it was placed upon its own, which was forthwith lighted, while the chair, couch, kc, used by the deceased in her lifetime, were also burnt. The assistants then regaled themselves with a feast, while the musicians, without cessation, struck the ear with a tumultuous melody, not un- pleasing. This continues until evening, when the bodies being consumed, the relatives and chiefs return home, leaving a guard for the prt)tection of the bones. On this occasion the bones of the queen only were preserved, the rest having been gathered up and thrown away. " On the following day the bones of the queen were carried back to her former habitation, with a ceremony equal in pomp to that of the preceding day, and here the following forms were observ- ed. Every day a number of vessels of silver, brass, and earth, filled with water, accompanied by a band of musicians and pikemen, are carried thither. Those who bear them are preceded by two young boys carrying green boughs, marching