Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/184

166 very warm weather, the glass has risen to 75°, and even 80°.

The day after our excursion was the one fixed for the Slamat, or Slamatan Bromok, i.e., the blessing or worshipping of the volcano, a ceremony which, with its accompanying feast, the Javanese in this and the surrounding neighbourhood hold regularly once a year. The pilgrims who frequent it, unlike the Javanese in general, are Brahmins, though not so strict in their rites as their brethren in India. They inhabit the provinces of Probolingo, Malang, a great part of Bezuki, and part of the island of Bali, as well as that of Lomboc.

Their language is Javanese, disfigured by some provincialisms and peculiar accents, by no means pleasing to the correct notions of my Batavian boy, who considered himself a competent critic in such matters.

As we were anxious to see this curious ceremony we determined on again riding to the Bromok.