Natmasses
ancestor underworld Aneityum single tradition · 1
Natmasses were spirits worshipped in the ancient culture of Aneityum, Vanuatu, representing deified ancestors who dwelt in Uma-atmas, the Land of the Dead. The term literally means "a dead man" and refers to gods, spirits of forebears, or the forefathers themselves. They were represented primarily as stones of various sizes, from pebbles to massive blocks weighing tons, and each family maintained a basket of their own natmasses as household gods.
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“Natmas, the name given to every deity, signifies literally a dead man, and they all dwelt in Uma-atmas, the Land of the Dead. Theirs was the Worship of their Ancestors.”
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