ed./45Kisai means moon, Mari means spirits, Patan means eat. The title of the print translates as Spirits Eating the Moon. It is a customary belief of the artist’s people that the cause of a moon eclipse was a result of spirits eating the moon.When a moon eclipse was occurring, the villagers would beat drums and make other noises and sing, Maril Woneo Kisai Purtai Maig Woneo Kisai, entreating the spirits to stop eating the moon away. Three villagers beating drums are depicted in the image of the moon The artist’s people were very knowledgeable about the influence the moon had on the weather and tidal movements and also about the constellations which they used extensively as navigational aids.