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Nitoes

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is the name of imaginary daemons or genii whom the inhabitants of Molucca, Amboyna, etc., consult on every affair of importance. On these occasions twenty or thirty persons assemble, and then they summon the Nito by the sound of a little consecrated drum, while some of the company light up several wax tapers. After some time he appears, or, rather, one of the assembly officiates as his minister. Before they enter on the consultation he is invited to eat and drink. After the oracle has made his reply, they eat up the remainder of the provisions prepared for him. Besides these public entertainments, there are also private ones. In some corner of the house they light up wax tapers in honor of the Nito, and set something to eat before him; and the master of each family, it is said, always attaches great value to anything that has been consecrated to their Nito. Yet, notwithstanding these superstitious ceremonies, these islanders laugh at religion, placing it only in a servile fear lest some misfortune should befall them if they should fail in their obedience and respect to the Nito. See Broughton, Hist. of Religion, s.v.