A depression is made in the ground to hold the boy and a hoop of grass is placed under his head. . . . The operator squats on the right side of the head. He places the knife in the middle of the forehead and draws it above the eyebrow to well toward the middle of the right ear. Blood vessels and all are cut down to the bone. This is the principal cut and the most painful. About a centimeter higher comes the second, and then the others, in all six. [The left side is cut in the same way.] When the skin is thus completely severed from the forehead it frequently drops down somewhat and a broad skinless space appears.

The loss of blood in the operation is frightful, often dangerous to life. On that account great care is exercised with the patients. After the operation the boys are carried, often unconscious, by men into a neighboring hut, care being taken that the head shall be moved as little as possible. . . . The patient must lie on his back for several days and keep the head immovable to prevent the recurrence of bleeding. . . . When the candidate is obliged to sit up or rise, the head must not be inclined forward or sidewise but bent backwards. The first twenty-four hours are the most critical. Not infrequently an old man who watches during the night or comes early in the morning finds a boy unconscious or even in the throes of death.

Care is exercised in the selection of the boy for the first operation of the series. Sometimes an older and larger boy applies for the honor. If he shows fortitude the others will follow his example and will not have to be held forcibly. Usually the feeling of honor prevails over the frightful pain, especially when the boys are older, and they remain quiet and silent under the knife.²

²Crazzolara, P.n/an/an/an/an/a, "Die Gar-Ceremonie bei den Neuer," , 5: 28–33 (résumé).