Chapter XVII
Reading edition
TABU.
The Irish geis, pl. geasa, which may be rendered by Tabu, had two senses. It meant something which must not be done for fear of disastrous consequences, and also an obligation to do something commanded by another.
Notes in this chapter
Note 1 · Footnote 881: (return) The religious interdictions mentioned by Cæsar (vi. 13) may be regarded as tabus, while the spoils of war placed in aNote 2 · Footnote 882: (return) Joyce, OCR 332 f.Note 3 · Footnote 883: (return) Book of Rights, ed. O'Donovan, 5.Note 4 · Footnote 884: (return) Book of Rights, 7.Note 5 · Footnote 885: (return) Ibid. 3 f.Note 6 · Footnote 886: (return) LL 107; O'Grady, ii. 175.Note 7 · Footnote 887: (return) In Highland tales geasa is translated "spells."Note 8 · Footnote 888: (return) RC xxii. 27 f. The story of Da Choca's Hostel has for its subject the destruction of Cormac through breaking his geasNote 9 · As a tabu the geis had a large place in Irish life, and was probably known to other branches of the Celts.881 It followed the general courseNote 10 · In some cases geasa were based on ideas of right and wrong, honour or dishonour, or were intended to cause avoidance of unlucky days. OthersNote 11 · As a reflection from this state of things, the heroes of the sagas, Cúchulainn and Fionn, had numerous geasa applicable to themselves, some Note 12 · Geasa, whether in the sense of tabus or of obligations, could be imposed by any one, and must be obeyed, for disobedience produced disastrouNote 13 · Among savages the punishment which is supposed to follow tabu-breaking is often produced through auto-suggestion when a tabu has been uncons