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Volume 3 149 |
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MULLAH OF MAHOMEDAN PERSIA |
CHARGING A PIG WITH A MESSAGE TO THE GODS |
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| The Persian priesthood shows itself a fanatical opponent of progress, but recognizes any man as a mullah, provided he can read and interpret the Koran | Whenever Kayans and Kenyahs kill a domestic pig they make it an opportunity for both prayer and divination. The live pig, bound, is prodded with a smouldering torch by the chief, who utters a prayer, which the soul of the pig, when released by a spear-thrust, shall carry to the god. Answer to the prayer is then found in the liver of the dead animal |