Note 26 — Chapter I · TABOOED DAYS AT CRITICAL EPOCHS

Alexander, op. cit., pp. 56 sq. Elsewhere this excellent authority describes the Hawaiian prayers as in some measure magical incantations, which, to secure the desired effect, required to be repeated without the slightest mistake. “During the most important class of prayers, called aha, it was necessary that absolute silence should be preserved, as the least noise would break the spell and destroy the whole effect of the charm” (ibid., p. 50). A similar precaution, as is well known, characterized the ritual of a Roman sacrifice.