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[Page 33] 33
2
still -Then apparently for the benefit of listening women, a
troop of warriors, all in war paint and carrying their
weapons, came bounding to the oval, and loudly
announced that the boy canditates could not
be found, they must search again for them. Later
they returned successful with the boys in their
midst -They then sprang onto the fire and
holding the boys up kept jumping up and
down on the fire until it was quite extinguished.
The coverings were then taken off the women
who appeared covered with sweat - Then each
Poombit knelt before his mother - or failing a mother
his next nearest female relative - and went through
the form of taking the breast for the last time,
thus typifying the putting away of childish things
and taking on the responsibilities of manhood -
That's all I can recall of that particular ceremony.