94 Bird Hnnthuj on the White ^lle. 



ai'ise from the very depths of the stomach. The girl 

 stopped in front of us, and still swaying her body, 

 gradually sank down at my feet, then, slowly rising, 

 swished my face with her plaited, grease-soaked hair. 

 Feeling consideraHy embarrassed, and not knowing what 

 was expect-ed of me, I asked my men quickly to tell me 

 what to do, as the girl was preparing to repeat the 

 perfumed swish. They told me to flick my fingers at 

 her and bend my head to hers. Thankful that nothing 

 more was expected, I did this as well as I could, and 

 immediately all the women set up the shrill sachareet 

 and the dancer returned to her place. Evidently I had 

 done the right thing, but I believe one is also expected 

 to damp a coin and place it on the dancer's forehead. 

 The dance now became more general, several girls per- 

 forming, and all of us being saluted. A gourd was then 

 brought round and we were told that a collection was 

 being made for the bride and bridegroom, who by the 

 way were nowhere to be seen, the bride being carefully 

 locked up until the wedding day, and the bridegroom 

 being too bashful to appear. The gourd so far only 

 contained a few beads. We contributed the little money 

 which we had about us, but felt that the wedding 

 presents were meagre. Our men gave nothing, although 

 they immensely enjoyed the dance. Moreover, when 



