Twin Superstitions by W. A. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Aug 12, 1909

Twin Superstitions

By W. A. S.

THERE was present at one of our general meetings in Ireland, several years ago, a member whose work as a nurse had brought her much in contact with the Catholic peasantry in that intensely Catholic country. It was a common practise, she said, when one died, for the friends to at once punch a hole through the roof, in order to let the soul take its flight; while at the same time chairs were turned over on the floor to persuade the shade of the deceased not to linger about the room.

Writing in the Baptist Missionary Magazine, Mr. Wm. Pettigrew, of Manipur, Assam, speaks thus of a custom among the people of that northeastern part of India:—

When a Tangkhul naga dies, his spirit is believed to turn into an insect called kaha, a kind of honey-bee, which flies to the roof of the house. In case this metamorphosed spirit wishes to spread its wings outside, a hole is made in the roof directly over the bed of the deceased.

These and many similar ideas concerning the soul after death, have common origin in primitive heathenism.

W. A. S.