Note 10 — Tales of the Mythical Period

Upon the return of a successful war party, the relatives meet them at the gate of the town and compel them to climb the sangap;10 then invitations are sent out to friends and relatives in neighboring towns to come and aid in the celebration of the victory (p. 140). When they arrive at the entrance of the village they are met by the townspeople, who offer them liquor and then conduct them to the houses where they feast and dance to the music of gansas (p. 126).11 Finally the captured heads are stuck on the sagang12 and are placed by the gate, the spring, and, if sufficient Page 11in number, surround the town (p. 140). Taking the heads of one's neighbors does not appear to be common, yet cases are mentioned where visitors are treacherously killed at a dance (pp. 78, 83).