You shall be cursed with my ‘curse of the nine countries,’
By (the power of) the word ‘There is no god but God,’” etc.Whilst reciting the above, stand upright, close to the patient’s head, grasping a
spear in your left hand. Brandish this spear over the body of the patient, drawing
a long breath.^136
This spear must afterwards be ransomed, (say) for forty cents; in default of
which payment it is forfeited to the medicine-man.
The directions for another form of the ceremony just described (“casting out the
mischief”), are as follows:—
Whenever a person is suffering from the influence of a waxen image (such as is
described elsewhere),^137 you must rub him (or her) all over with limes in order
to “cast out the mischief.” These limes must be of seven different kinds, and you
will require three of each kind. When you have got them, fumigate them with
incense and repeat the appropriate charm, which is practically an appeal
addressed to the spirit of the limes to assist in extracting the poisonous principle
from the body of the sick man:—
“Peace be with you, O Lelang,
We have been brothers from the former time until now,
I am fain to order you to assist me in extracting everything that is poisonous
From the body and limbs of So-and-So.
Break not your solemn promise,
Break not your plighted faith,
And use not deceit or wiles,” etc.Of course the luckless spirit is told that if he does not do exactly as he is bidden
he must expect the curse to follow.
This charm must be repeated overnight, and early next morning three thicknesses
of birah leaves must be laid down (for the patient to stand upon during the
lustration). The seven sorts of limes are at the same time to be squeezed into a
bowl and divided into three portions. These portions are to be used three times
during the day, at sunrise, noon, and sundown respectively, partly for washing
off the cosmetics (which are rubbed all over the body), and partly as a medicinal