The Melanesians: Studies in Their Anthropology and Folk-Lore

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CHAPTER XI

Spiritual Intimacies and Avoidances

The simplest and most common sacrificial act is that of throwing a small portion of food to the dead; this is probably a universal practice in Melanesia. A fragment of food ready to be eaten, of yam, a leaf of mallow, a bit of betel nut, is thrown aside, and, where they drink kava, a libation is made of a few drops, as the share of departed friends, or as a memorial of them with which they will be gratified. This is done perhaps with the calling of the name of someone recently deceased or particularly in remembrance at the time, or else with a general regard to the ghosts of former members of the community. It is hardly thought that this becomes in fact the food of the departed, but somehow it is to their advantage, at any rate it pleases them.1

1Codrington, R.H.n/an/an/an/a, , 128 (Clarendon Press. By permission).

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Chicago: "The Melanesians: Studies in Their Anthropology and Folk-Lore," The Melanesians: Studies in Their Anthropology and Folk-Lore in Primitive Behavior: An Introduction to the Social Sciences, ed. Thomas, William I. (New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., 1937), Original Sources, accessed April 25, 2024, http://originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=D9H3KHSUUQ3CNZ8.

MLA: . "The Melanesians: Studies in Their Anthropology and Folk-Lore." The Melanesians: Studies in Their Anthropology and Folk-Lore, in Primitive Behavior: An Introduction to the Social Sciences, edited by Thomas, William I., New York, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., 1937, Original Sources. 25 Apr. 2024. http://originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=D9H3KHSUUQ3CNZ8.

Harvard: , 'The Melanesians: Studies in Their Anthropology and Folk-Lore' in The Melanesians: Studies in Their Anthropology and Folk-Lore. cited in 1937, Primitive Behavior: An Introduction to the Social Sciences, ed. , McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., New York. Original Sources, retrieved 25 April 2024, from http://originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=D9H3KHSUUQ3CNZ8.