THE ANDAMAN ISLANDS 



171 



which characterise their intercourse one with another have been remarked by all observers. 

 The curious and by no means uncommon custom of adoption prevails among these people. 



Strangers introduced by mutual friends are invariably warmly welcomed by the whole 

 community; the best food in the encampment is set before them, and in every way they 

 are well treated, presents being frequently given to them, especially when about to depart. 

 " Speeding the guest " is an axiom with these people, and the host always accompanies his 

 friend to the landing-place. When bidding each other farewell, the guest takes the hand of 

 his host and blows upon it. When the compliment has been returned, the departing visitor 

 says, "I am off," to which his kind host replies, "Very well, go ; when will you come again?" 

 After blowing once more on each other's hands, the two friends part, shouting invitations and 

 promises for a future date. 



Contrary to the customs of most races, no salutations pass between friends even after a 



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ANDAMANESE SHOOTING FISH. 



[Rangoon. 



rather long separation. Kissing, rubbing noses, hand-shaking, etc., are quite unknown. The 

 two friends merely gaze silently into each other's faces. But with relations the case is rather 

 different. Two relations after a long separation demonstrate their joy at meeting by sitting 

 with their arms round each other's necks and weeping and howling in a manner which would 

 lead a stranger to suppose that some bitter sorrow had befallen them. In fact, there seems to 

 be no difference at all between demonstrations of joy and of grief. When any one dies, the 

 women begin to cry in loud chorus, but the men speedily join in. Then they all weep 

 together, until, through sheer exhaustion, they are compelled to desist. Then if neither of 

 the parties is in mourning, they get up a dance, in which the families not infrequently take 

 part. When a husband returns to his home, his wife hangs upon his neck and sobs with joy 

 as if her heart would break. lie then goes to his relations, who also burst into tears. 



The early stories of cannibalism among these people do not at the present day require to 

 be refuted. The natives express the greatest horror of such a custom, and indignantly deny 

 that it ever held a place among their own institutions. 



Marriage is only allowed between those who are known to be not even distantly connected. 

 So inexorable is this rule that it applies equally to such as are merely falsely related by the 

 custom of adoption above referred to. A first cousin, even if only a cousin by adoption, is 



