Note 6 — Chapter III · RELIGIOUS AND MAGICAL BELIEFS

With regard to a lunar eclipse Mr Man writes that “in case Maia Ogar should be so ill-advised as permanently to withhold his light or render himself in other ways still more disagreeable, whenever the moon is eclipsed some persons at once seize their bows and twang them as rapidly as possible, thereby producing a rattling sound as if discharging a large number of arrows, while others commence at once sharpening their rata (arrows). Of course this hostile demonstration is never lost upon the moon, who does not venture to hurt those who show themselves ready to give him so uncomfortable a reception. Their immunity from harm on these occasions has given rise to some joking at the expense of the luminary in question, for, during the continuance of the eclipse, they shout in inviting tones to the hidden orb as follows:—Ogar, laden balak ban lebe ŋ’idoati! doati! doati! (O Moon, I will give you the seed of the balak! show yourself! appear! appear!) This is said derisively, for, although these seeds are largely consumed by the pigs, the aborigines do not consider them fit for food6.”