296 CUSTOMS OF THE KAR NICOBARESE 



Sacrifice is generally offered to these canoes thrice in each 

 month — on seeing the new moon, at full moon, and on the 

 waning of the moon. 



A ceremony called Ramal is held in honour of the safe 

 return of the canoes that periodically make the customary 

 voyages to Chaura for pottery. It consists of feasting, dancing, 

 and singing, as do most of the Nicobarese observances. These 

 songs and dances are composed some time before the events 

 and carefully practised during the interval. 



The ceremony of Gnunota is held on behalf of those drowned 

 during this annual voyage to Chaura, and is practised, instead of 

 burial and the ceremony of Kana Awn, on occasions when the 

 bodies are not available. 



The death of a Nicobarese when absent is regarded with 

 much greater concern than when such an event takes place at 

 home. This is quite in accordance with European feeling. 



A belief that the Chaura men are great exponents of 

 wizardry is deeply rooted throughout the group. One of the 

 Mus canoes having been lost on the return from that island, 

 the tamiluanas told the people that the Chaura men had a 

 grudge against the people of Mus, which, however, they did not 

 like to satisfy in the island, but caused the visitors to be 

 destroyed while at sea, by means of the black art, through which 

 a tempest was raised during their return voyage. 



The tamiluanas possess the power of conversing with the 

 spirits of the dead, and they informed the village that they had 

 seen this deceased party, who stated that they had perished 

 from hunger, and now wanted meals. 



Mus, therefore, was ordered to offer sacrifice, and accordingly 

 the people contributed spoons, forks, clothes, and silver wire, 

 besides killing pigs and preparing meals in each house. 



After the sacrifice {Gminota^ had been made the tamiij/anas 

 gave out that all the souls were satisfied with the meals and 

 other things, but that " Davy Jones," the leader of the unfortu- 

 nate party, was displeased with the offering ! 



Feasts are partaken of, and sacrifices made in the grave- 



