CO Accounl of the Kookies or Luncfa'.^. 



s'unifar feast is given by him in whose family the next ca- 

 fualtv of the season had happened ; and thus the feast goes 

 round in succession until one is given for each of the dead. 



In tiiis pious preservation at" the dead till a certain day in, 

 the vear, when only the last solemn funeral rites can be 

 performed to their remains, there is a singular coincidence 

 in the practice of the Kookies with that of some of the 

 tribes of the North American Indians, as related in Ber- 

 tram's Travels ; avid it must appear a curious fact, that in 

 so very particular an instance there should be this similitude 

 in the customs of two savage people placed in such oppo- 

 site parts of the world j where the climate, and other pecu- 

 liar local circumstances, are so totally difierent. 



The Kookies have an idea of a future state, where they 

 are rewarded or punished according to their merits in this 

 world. They conceive that nothing is more pleasing to the 

 Deity, ar more certainly ensures future happiness, than de- 

 stroving a number of tJieir enemies. The Supreme Being 

 they conceive to be omnipotent, and the Creator of the 

 world and all that it contains. The term in their language 

 for the Supreme Being is Khogein Pootteeang. They also 

 worship an inferior deitv under the name of Sheem Sai/k, 

 to whom they address their pvaycra, as a mediator with the 

 SuproTie Bting, and as more inniiediately interesting him- 

 self in the concerns of individuals. To the Supreme Being 

 tbey offer in sacrifice a gval, as being their most valued ani- 

 mai ; while to Shecm Simk they sacrifice a goat only. In 

 eveyy parah thev have a rudely formed figure of wood of 

 the human shape representing 5i7?eew Sa///: ; it is generally 

 placed under a tree, and to it they offer up their prayer:* 

 befvre they set out on any excursion or enterprise, as the 

 deity tliat controls and directs their actions and destiny. 

 ^Vhcncvcr, therefore, they return successful, whether from 

 the chace or the attack of an enemy, they religiously place 

 before Shccm Sank all the heads of the slain, or of their 

 game killed, as expressive of their devotion, and to record 

 their exploits. Each warrior has his own pa'-ticular pile of 

 heads, and according to the number it consists of his cha- 

 yacter as a hunter and warrior is established in the tribe, 

 'fhese piles are sacred ; and no man dares attempt to iilch 

 away his neighbour's fame, by s-tealing from them to add 

 to his own. They likewise worship the moon, as conceiv- 

 ing it to influence their fortunes in some degree. And in 

 evciy house there is a particular post consecrated to the 

 <leitv, before which they always place a certain portion of 

 whatever food they are about to eat. In the month of Ja- 

 •uarv they .have a'SoIcml^ sacrifice and festival in honour 



of 



