"KIRIAM HETPAT" 289 



The women wear necklaces, " ear-distenders," bangles — made 

 by twisting silver wire round arm and leg — and strings of silver 

 coins as head ornaments. A pair of red Madras handkerchiefs, 

 or two yards of red cloth and two of Chinese blue, stitched 

 together, are worn as the principal garment. 



Some come already dressed, others bring their attire with 

 them, and don it on the spot. 



The special guests bring ten or a dozen pigs of moderate 

 size, as presents to those by whom they are invited. (Here it 

 may be said that the people, although well acquainted in 

 general, never call each other friends promiscuously. Whoever 

 contributes a gift during this festival to another, is alone his true 

 friend. There is a regular agreement about this, and special 

 invitations for any occasion are only given by turns.) The 

 women bring with them baskets of prepared food — pandanus 

 bread, boiled yams, rice — and with this, and with pork presented 

 by the hosts, they refresh themselves during the night. 



Dancing and singing then take place. The men give their 

 performance first, and when they are fatigued, they make way 

 for the women, and so it goes on, turn and turn about. The 

 former in their dance go through various motions of sitting, 

 rising, bending, and jumping, but the women only attempt a 

 series of steps.* This proceeding continues in the compound of 

 each festival party throughout the night. 



In the morning, while dancing still continues, there are 

 brought forward some strong wooden cages, about 4 feet long 

 and 3 feet in height and breadth — some in shape like a palanquin, 

 and some dome-shaped like the houses. These cages are gaily 

 decorated with flags, chintz, and gilt jewellery. On the top of 

 each a platform with curtains is prepared, and on either side 

 stout bamboo poles are fastened. A huge long-tusked boar 

 adorned with jewellery is placed in each cage, and a man, woman, 

 an(i boy, seat themselves on the platform with a quantity of 

 plantains and betel-nut. 



* These dances are practised by the guests from the time they receive the 

 first intimation. 



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