Animism at its best

This post could also be titled, "How did I get into an episode of National Geographic???" We visited a tradition village and, because we're able to speak the language (Yay!), asked the village leader about the story of the village. He unfolded some straw mats for us and we sat on the floor of his hut while he told us the story. Many years ago the village elders, his parents, were planning the building of their village. One day they were out hunting in the woods, and they ran into Satan who was trying to catch a special mouse. He couldn't do it. So the village elders volunteered to catch the mouse for Satan, in exchange for him building their village. So they agreed, and after lots of dramatics, caught the mouse for Satan. Satan covered their eyes and built their village, including the altar in the middle where they frequently sacrifice many types of animals. However, before he finished building the village, a dog came along and scared Satan away. So the village remains unfinished, but its ok, because not many villages are built by Satan. Keep in mind that this is not a legend to these people, they really believe that Satan built their village. They also believe that sacrificing animals to their dead ancestor will bring them a fruitful harvest.