se perils the usual precautions are
taken, one of the commonest (as in cases mentioned in the preceding
paragraphs) being abstinence from ordinary work; the belief, apparently,
is that such work is tainted with the injurious influence with which the
atmosphere is charged.

+602+. Among religious ceremonies the expulsion of evil spirits was
naturally attended with danger, and work was prohibited. Such was the
custom in Athens at the Anthesteria and on the sixth day of the
Thargelia, and in Rome at the Lemuria.[973] Among existing tribes there
are numerous examples of this sort of restriction: it is found in West
Africa[974] and in Indonesia (Kar Nicobar, Bali[975]); in Assam it takes
the form of a taboo (_genna_) for laying to rest the ghosts of all who
have died within the year[976] (an All Souls ceremony).

+603+. In general, sacred seasons, times of great communal ceremonies,
demand the avoidance of ordinary pursuits, which, it is feared, may
imperil the success of the ceremonies by necessitating contact with
things infected or nonsacred. The earlier Hebrew usage recognized such
seasons (new moon, sabbath, and perhaps others); the later usage
increased the number of tabooed days as the ritual was expanded and
organised.[977] For Greece we have the Plynteria, on the principal day
of which work was suspended;[978] in Rome the feriae were such days,
regular or occasional.[979] The inbringing of first fruits was a
peculiarly solemn occasion, when gratitude to the deity mingled with
fear of hostile influences; so among the Hebrews[980] and at Athens[981]
and in Tonga.[982] Polynesian restrictions on the occasion of ceremonies
are given by Ellis.[983] All such days of abstinence from ordinary work
tend to become holidays, times of popular amusement, and a taboo element
may be suspected in such festivals as those of the later Hindu
period.[984] Naturally, also, days of restriction become sacred to
deities.

+604+. Great nonreligious tribal events and peculiar situations demand
restrictive precautions. Warriors prepare for an expedition by remaining
apart from their wives.[985] Women whose husbands are absent are
sometimes immured or forbidden all intercourse with human beings; by
reason of the identity of husband and wife supernatural harm to the
latter will affect the former. Afflictive occurrences, such as famines,
pestilences, earthquakes, are signs of some hostile supernatural power,
defense against which requires the