Note 6 — Chapter III · DAIRIES AND BUFFALOES

I did not hear of the existence of any ceremonies connected with the chosen male buffaloes. Marshall states6 that a bull new from one of the sacred ti herds undergoes a process of sanctification before he is permanently installed, by being isolated for a day and night in a small pen in the sacred woods of the ti, during which time he is deprived of food, though allowed access to water. Marshall also states that it is permissible to introduce a bull from an ordinary drove “after due sanctification.” Though I failed to obtain definite confirmation of Marshall’s statement, it is possible that something of the kind may at one time have taken place or may even still take place.