Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 07.pdf/410

 Tanghin, or the Poison Ordeal of Madagascar. subject on which no direct evidence could be got, each selected a dog from a pair of equal size and condition, and both animals re ceived similar doses of tanghin. The party whose dog first succumbed was adjudged to be in the wrong; and if both dogs expired simultaneously, the case was decided on a basis of equality; or if this was out of the question, the ordeal was repeated. In the case of serious crimes, however, being alleged against anyone, the ordeal was much more severe, as the persons suspected had themselves to swallow the tanghin. The ordeal was a truly national institution; government officials called mpanozon-doha, or "cursers of the head," or more colloqui ally, mpampinona, that is, "those who com pel to drink," administered the ordeal; and to be a mpampinona was considered both a lucrative, respectable, and even an honor able position. The mpampinona, by per sonal and secretly transmitted experience, could so manipulate the ordeal that their clients had a chance of escaping with little more than a violent fit of vomiting; while they could insure with deadly certainty the removal of an obnoxious individual. The tanghin thus administered became a most powerful agent in carrying out the crooked ends of an unscrupulous state policy; and we need hardly say that the Government in power freely availed themselves of this con venient method for the removal of promi nently obtrusive members of the Opposition. A great gathering always collected to wit ness a tanghin ordeal, the center of attraction, of course, being the mpampinona, his execu tive, and the victim or victims. To inspire confidence, the poison was prepared in public by the mpampinona, who took two kernels of the fruit of the " Tanghinia venenifera," and having split each carefully in half, he ground two halves of different kernels — to insure uniformity of poison — on a stone, with a little water. A white emulsion is thus ob tained, which on dilution with the juice of a banana leaf, partially dissolves. Having ad-

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ministered this potion, the " curser of the head " placed his hand on the brow of the vic tim, and broke forth into a wild stream of de nunciation and invocation, beginning, " Ary mandranesa, mandranesa. Manamango, Lis ten, listen, oh Manamango [the Poison Spirit or" Searcher of Hearts"]. Thou hastno eyes, but thou seest; ears hast thou not, but thou hearest; a round egg brought from afar, from lands across the great waters [possibly an allusion to the introduction of the poison or deal by the Arabs], thou art here to-day. Hear and judge, for thou knowest all things, and wilt decide truly. If this man hath not done aught by witchcraft, but has only employed natural powers, let him live. If he has only committed a crime against the moral code [in the original, a long category of these offenses is given], slay him not; but by the door where down thou wentest, return, oh Manamango! [The poison is a violent emetic] But if he has employed witchcraft, then hasten; stay not; end him; slay him; choke him; seize his vitals in thy deadly clutch, and destroy at once and forever the foul life of this wicked man, oh Manamango, thou that knowest all things, and who searchest the secret hearts of all men." Some years ago, a friend of the writer's took a verbatim copy of the above harangue as reproduced by a native who had twice successfully undergone the ordeal, and on whom the whole ceremony had left very vivid and lasting impressions. The above is a fair translation of the leading points in the argument, which in the original are fully ex panded by minute details as to the crimes within and the misdemeanors without the jurisdiction of the tanghin, as well as by very horrible minutiae of the fearful ago nies to be inflicted on the guilty, and the exhilarating prospects for the self-righted innocent. This adjuration ended, the accused was forced to swallow three pieces of fowl-skin, each about an inch square, without touching them with his teeth. Copious draughts of