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Updated: April 30, 2025
This class is made up of the spirits of the dead. A man's spirit, almogol, does not live in his body, but always accompanies him during life. If at any time it wanders the man becomes ill, and if it fails to return its owner dies. After separating from the body the almogol goes to Kilot, a good place below the earth where there is no work or punishment.
The almo-os takes a chicken in his hands and, while five or six assistants dance, he chants, appealing to the spirit to see the good things that are being prepared, and to be pleased to return to the sick man. Occasionally, the music stops and one of the dancers cries "almogol, here is food for you; you must not go away."
There it spends most of its time, but upon occasion returns to its former haunts where it aids or injures the living. The almo-os, already mentioned, have considerable influence with all the spirits, but they are particularly close to the almogol. Nearby are two decorated bamboo sticks, behind which the spirit of the sick man stands while he watches the proceeding.
The sick person is kept in the spirit house for a day and is then returned to his home. See page 133. Little structures known as bolon are erected for other spirits who may be trying to injure the almogol or attempting to persuade it to leave its owner.
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