One motive for the reburial ceremony appears to be to raise the status of the "begu" of the deceased. Traditional Batak beliefs hold that the dead occupy a hierarchical status similar to the social position they held in life. This means that a rich and powerful individual remains influential after death, and this status can be elevated if the family holds a reburial ceremony. A rich descendant can advance a "begu" to the status of a "sumangot" by means of a great ceremony and a "horja" feast which can last up to seven days. In antiquity a vast number of pigs, cattle or even buffalo were slaughtered at such festivals, and the "gondang" orchestra provided an accompaniment.