From:	abortion_engine abortion_engine@*******.com
Subject:	Questions of great importance (Steve, Jon, RA:S peopleespecially)
Date:	Thu, 2 Sep 1999 15:25:21 -0400

Adding to K's answer, don't forget the druids. Don't ever forget the druids.

> > 3. Are there any cultures with legends of "mystic rituals" or the
like
> > that a) involve human sacrifice and b) grant whoever conducts the
> > sacrifice great power?
> >
> > I'm looking for something where the killer is supposed to be the one
> > getting the mystical "shot-in-the-arm" from the slaying.
>
> Doc: You may actually want to consider many, if not ALL, of the Central
> American to South Andean Highland "Tribes", ranging in time from from
2,000BC
> to within the last century or so. Additionally, you may also want to
> consider some of the NAN/Amerindians and their "Warrior Customs"
concerning
> such things as the hunting of a powerful animal (Wolf, Bear, Stag, Buffalo
> even) and drinking of the blood that poored from the heart of the freshly
> killed beast.
>
> Also note that in some cultures removing the head of a victim and
breathing
> from the mouth meant that you were stealing its' spirit as well (South
> Pacific and even some Toltec/Amazonian).
>
> Orishan (Steve K, is this spelling/intent right? I can't recall) beliefs
> also included such things as taking the hides of certain opponents and
> wearing them into battle to instill fear (and I do mean more than just
animal
> hides here). BTW: Orishan are the ancestors of the Loa for the most part.
>
> Greeks actually had similar practices as well, as did the Sumerian,
> Babylonian and Phoenician where it came to drinking the blood of either an
> opponent or a powerful beast in order to gain its' strength/spirit. I
can't
> honestly recall if the Romans' carried over the practice or not. And
hell,
> for that matter, I'm NOT going to go the distance to consider the earlier
> kingdom ranges of Egypt.
>
> This help any?
>
> -K
>
>