Head-hunters, black, white, and brown

by Alfred C. Haddon

PLATE XII

MAN DRESSED UP FOR THE DEATH-DANCE

DIVINING SKULLS

1 SKULL OF MAGAU OF NAGIR 2 A MURRAY ISLAND SKULL

At the back of the kwod are two heaps of Fusus shells—one slightly larger than the other—the koi mat and the mŭgi mat (koi means “large,” and mŭgi is “small”). A short distance to the side of these are two small heaps of shells called respectively koi augŭdau kupar and mŭgi augŭdau kupar, and beyond the latter is a double row of dugong ribs called mŭgi siboi.

These five shrines are close to the bushes and rocks that form the south-easterly border of the kwod.

Fig. 12. The Kwod or Ceremonial Ground in Pulu

The great annual ceremonies were held here at the rising of the star Kek (Achernar, α of Eridanus, of our constellations).