CHRISTMAS CELEBRATED WITH SWORDS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3275, 20 December 1916, Page 62

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATED WITH SWORDS.

If you are not endowed with the finest health and extraordinary powers of endurance, take my tip and avoid Montenegro at Christmas time. On Christmas Eve huge logs are piled in front of each house, one log for each person living within, and at sunset they arc taken into the house with much cei - e mony. The most striking part of bearing tho Yule logs in is the gathering of the male members of the family before the house with their pistols ready. When the sunset gun booms out, the fusillade begins. The composite roar reminds you of but one thing to compare with it—a battle. On Christmas Day you go from house to house among all your friends to eat and drink with every one, and if you are of sufficient social standing you are requested to give the "guest stroke." A whole roasted sheep or pig is lying on a platter with an oranp-e in his open mouth. A handjar (national sword) is thrust into your hand, and you, if you are wittily inclined, remark that there is a thief in the house and he has his booty in his mouth. With one stroke of the sword you are supposed to take off his head. You seldom are so lucky, and you try, as I did,

again and again, to the laughter of your friends.

The Montenegrin festival of Christmas is supposed to continue for three days, but after the second day the feasting lags for obvious reasons. But the last day ends with a roaring of pistols and a final toast all around.