58 ON THE INHABITANTS OF THE 



shrine most frequently exceed that period for so ex- 

 pensive a ceremony. They first consult the De- 

 maunoy and have recourse to the Cherreen and 

 Satane; both of which must agree with what the 

 Demauno prescribes, before this festival can be held : 

 when thus ordained, the suppliant must provide 

 about a dozen hogs, as many goats, about- three 

 score seers of rice, two of red paint, fifteen of oil ; 

 about twelve rupees must be expended in spirits, 1 

 and some scores of cooking pots, dishes, and cups 

 for drinking, laid in, as well as a few peacock's tails, 

 a fan, three bamboos, nine score na tar /a -trees, and 

 some red stones, which are ground for paint, and 

 also some charcoal. Thus prepared, the suppliant 

 sends strings, with knots numbering the intervening 

 days, with invitations to his relations and neigh- 

 bouring chiefs. On the day appointed, some thou- 

 sands assemble, and are variously employed. Some 

 <irind the red stone for paint, others charcoal to mix 

 with oil, while a great number are occupied in 

 stripping the bark off the natdria, which is effected 

 in one piece of four cubits long, by bruising it -, three 

 bamboos arc then made straight by oil and fire, and 

 are of the same length with the na tariarbark ; a tat 

 hog, grain, and several pots of spirits, are sent to the 

 workers. The red stone and charcoal being ground, 

 are mixed separately with oil, and a quantity of 

 hoo-'s blood added to both : the barks of the naidna 

 have about a cubit of the lower end of each Ijiack^ 

 ened with the charcoal, another cubit is left of the 

 naiural colour, and above it one cubit is painted red ; 



caps 



