Note 94 — Chapter III · DISEASE DEITIES.

A belief prevails all over Gujarāt that a disease can be passed from one species of animals to another, and various practices are adopted to effect this. Generally a bhuvā or exorcist arranges the transfer. The bhuvā, accompanied by a troupe of dancers and drummers, visits the house of the sick person and, after examining corn seeds dānās which have been waved round the patient’s head on a night preceding a Sunday or Tuesday, declares that the evil spirit possessing the patient requires a living victim. A cock, goat or a male buffalo is then brought as a substitute for the patient, is waved round him, the tip of its right ear is cut off, and it is offered to the mātā or goddess, that is, it is released to stray as it pleases. These goats, etc., are called mātā’s goats, mātā’s cocks, or mātā’s male buffaloes, and are seen wandering about in many villages. Sometimes the goat, etc., is killed before the image of the mātā and the bhuvā dipping the palms of his hands into its blood, presses them against the doors of every house in the village. In the case of an outbreak of epidemic, the victim is set at liberty beyond the limits of the village affected. It is believed by some people that the animal to which a disease is conveyed in the above manner, dies of its effects.94