PREPARATIONS FOR A FESTIVAL 81 



where the gatherings are held they fasten a number of branches.* 

 We entered one of the houses thus decorated. Outside were 

 large heaps of green coconuts, and inside other refreshment in 

 the shape of several big jars of toddy ; the interior was prepared 

 for dancing. Immense quantities of cotton print, of every 

 pattern and colour imaginable, were hung from rattans cross- 

 ing the upper portion of the roof to within about 7 feet 

 from the floor ; the upper part was a nearly solid mass of cotton. 

 On a framework in the centre of the floor, covered with alternate 

 strips of red and white cotton, so that it seemed to be made 

 of barbers' poles, were suspended a large number of spoons, 

 forks, and soup-ladles. Everything else in the house was pushed 

 back against the walls in order that the floor might be clear, 

 and as the place was rather dark, it was illuminated by a lamp 

 made from half a coconut-shell, containing melted pigs' fat and 

 a strip of rag. The spoons and forks, in which the natives 

 invest nearly all they obtain by the sale of their coconuts, 

 are purchased from the Burmese and Indian traders. For 

 soup-ladles they give 20 rupees ; table-spoons 10 rupees, and 

 smaller sizes 5 rupees. They are of electro-plate and German 

 metal, but the people apparently think them silver, and did 

 not seem to believe us when we told them otherwise, so we 

 did not press the point. Considering the large number they 

 possess, the knowledge might be painful, and since they are 

 destroyed at the owner's death, it perhaps does not matter much. 

 " It's an ill wind that blows nobody good," and the traders 

 ought to do very well at such prices. 



The large public dances of the northern island are not held 

 here, but two or three private houses are prepared for the 

 occasion as above described. 



The people of these islands employ in everyday life far more 

 clothing than the Kar Nicobarese, and a great proportion of 

 them wear some other garment — trousers or jacket — in addition 

 to their national apparel. Formerly, they wore the white palm- 



* Fontana mentions the palm leaves and other branches decorating the 

 hut doors at festivals, 1778. 



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