Identifier: uncivilizedraces02wood (find matches)
Title: The uncivilized races of men in all countries of the world; being a comprehensive account of their manners and customs, and of their physical, social, mental, moral and religious characteristics. By Rev. J. G. Wood... With new designs by Angas, Danby, Wolf, Zwecker... 1871
Year: 1871 (1870s)
Authors: Wood, John George, 1827-1889
Subjects: Ethnology. Manners and customs. Savages
Publisher: J. B. Burr and company
Contributing Library: Brigham Young University-Idaho, David O. McKay Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Brigham Young University-Idaho

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posts andmatting. It might be thought from theirwarlike and ferocious character that theKingsmill Islanders are cannibals. Such,however, is not the case. It is very truethat in some instances portions of a humanbody have been eaten. For example, if a cele-brated warrior is killed, the victors some-times cook the body, and each eats a smallportion of it. This however is done, notfrom any predilection for human flesh, butfrom a feeling of revenge, and probably fromsome underlying notion that those who par-take of such food also add to themselves aportion of the courage which once animatedthe body. Animated by the same spirit,they preserve the skulls of such warriors,and use them as drinking vessels. The skulls of the dead are always pre-served by their friends, provided that theyhave died natural deaths, or their bodiesbeen recovered in battle. The body is firstlaid out on mats for eight days, being everyday washed, oiled, and laid out in the sun-shine at noon, while the friends mourn,
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%) SHARK TOOTH SPEAR (Sec page 1040.) (3.) SWORDS OF KINGSMILL ISLANDERS.(Sec page 1039.)(1041) EXTRAORDINARY FUNERAL CEREMONY. 1043 dance, and sing praises of the dead. Thebody is then buried for a time, and lastly,the skull is removed, cleaned, oiled, andstowed away. Each family preserve theskulls of their ancestors, and, occasionally,bring them out, oil them afresh, wreathethem with flowers, and set food before them.When a family change their residence, theytake the skulls with them. In one portion of the Kingsmill group,Pitt Island, or Makin, there exists the mostextraordinary funeral ceremony in the world.The body is washed, oiled, exposed to the sun,and wailed over, as already related. But,after the first wailing, it is laid on a newmat spread over a great oblong plate or traymade of tortoise-shell sewed together. A number of persons seat themselves oppositeeach other on the floor of the house, andsupport the plate on their knees as long asthey are able. When they are tired, the

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