Note 99 — CONTENTS. (continued 3)

Awa was a valuable article in the olden time; a great deal of it was bought by the people for drinking and for medicinal purposes. This is what is done if for a sick person: it is used as a medicine together with a black pig for its accompaniment. Awa is chewed and placed in a container, and when there is sufficient it is mixed and strained and poured into the cups; then the priest99 prays to the guardian spirit, sprinkling some awa for them. Then drink of the awa, and eat of the fat pig. This will cause one to see things hazily100 at night, and to sleep heavily during the day. So it is with those who are possessed by the gods. When the god comes on a visit and sits101 on one, awa is quickly gotten ready for the deity; it is hastily chewed, prepared and drank up. And every time the god visits the same process is gone through until one gets inflamed; and when you see some one blear-eyed it reminds you of the following saying: “Inflamed! Inflamed! First go down to Piheka. What food will you have to eat? Awa.”