Worship of the Village Goddess & Divination, Nepal - Excerpt from Gurkha Country (1968)

Worship of the Village Goddess & Divination, Nepal - Excerpt from Gurkha Country (1968)
Shows the work of a cultural anthropologist in the Bhuji River Valley of Nepal by examining a five-month expedition. Includes views of activities in the village and of the culture of the valley
Worship of the village Goddess
Sacrifice
Examining the Liver - Haruspicy - Haruspice Divination
The Feast
"One of the best ways to learn about a religious ceremonies by participating in it step by step as if one were a member of the family. We felt we had been as fully accepted as outsiders could be when we were asked by the muggers to participate with them and their worship of the village goddess. Each household brought a chair, a chicken, turmeric, cloth, cedar incense and rice. The rice had to be imported from another valley. That goddess was represented by stones tied with string. Most of the blood from the sacrificed chickens was saved for eating. To honor the goddess feathers from each chicken were placed beside the stones or tied to the tree. The chickens toes were left as additional souvenirs. The chickens were plucked and singed at the place of sacrifice. Examining the liver was a means of foretelling the future. A custom going back to ancient Babylon. As a symbol of participation and hope for good fortune, the head man gave everyone a tika of chicken blood and rice. Then we already returned home to cook our chicken and have a feast."
16mm Film, Educational, Antiquities
Publisher John Hitchcock in association with Patricia Hitchcock, Released by International Film Bureau
Cheers!
Floating Lodge

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Love these old films, can't think of anything to compare these to currently.