HEADMEN 241 



Both sexes inherit, and property is generally divided equally 

 among the heirs. 



There is in Kar Nicobar a method of guarding property 

 termed takoia, which at first is liable to be taken for a case of 

 tabu or poinali. Posts and sticks, decorated with coloured rags 

 and coconut husks, are erected near gardens, plantations, etc. 

 They have no superstitious significance whatever, and only act 

 as a kind of notice of title, warning all and sundry that the 

 surroundings are private property. Anyone discovered stealing 

 the same is fined, i.e., the usual pigs are confiscated to feast the 

 community.* 



The village headman and his deputy are a recent institution 

 of the authorities to simplify the procedure of controlling the 

 natives. The opinion of the village is generally taken on the 

 question, and, if approved of, their nominees are invested with 

 a certificate, a flag, and a suit of clothes, presented yearly. 



The headmen can command no obedience, and enforce no 

 laws ; they work only by persuasion ; and, with the more influential 

 men, deliberate on vexed questions, and impose fines, which seem 

 always paid. Such fines do not accrue to the benefit of the 

 injured party, but of the community, who enjoy a feast as the 

 result, in which the culprit himself takes part. 



As the headman now stands, he is the successor of the village 

 " captain " or presiding elder, who had no other functions but to 

 represent the community on the arrival of ships, and to regulate 

 barter. His office and title were instituted by the natives when 

 relations with European vessels became frequent, in order that 

 they might have some representative to correspond to the 

 commanding officer. 



* " With regard to iakoia, there is an observance of tabu when a death 

 occurs. The coconut and pandanus plantation of the deceased is banned, the 

 fruit being allowed to drop and germinate where it lies. The trees are marked 

 by having coconut fronds fastened round their trunks, so no one, even a 

 stranger, can appropriate the fruit through ignorance. As in the case of a large 

 plantation it would be too great a task to mark each tree in this way, only the 

 most conspicuous trees along the boundary are so distinguished, as this suffices 

 to indicate that all within the boundary are included in the tabu." — E. H. Man. 



Q 



