﻿KOOKTES OR LUNCTAS. 195 



tain day in the year, when only the last solemn fu- 

 neral rites can be performed to their remains, there 

 is a singular coincidence in the practice of the 

 Kookies with that of some of the tribes of the North 

 American Indians, as related in Bertram's Travels; 

 and it must appear a curious fact, that in so very 

 particular an instance, there should be this similitude 

 in the customs of tu^o savage people, placed in such 

 opposite parts of the world ; where the climate, and 

 other peculiar local circumstances, are so totally 

 different. 



The Kookies have an idea of a future state, where 

 they are rewarded or punished according to their 

 merits in this world. Ihey conceive that nothing 

 is more pleasing to the Deity, or more certainly 

 ensures future happiness, than destoying a number 

 of their enemies. The Supreme Being they conceive 

 to be Omnipotent, and the Creator of the world, 

 and all that it contains. The term in their lan- 

 guage for the Supreme Being is Khogein Poot- 

 TEEANG, They also worship an inlcrior Deity, 

 nndcr the name of Sheem Sauk, to whom they ad- 

 dress their prayers, as a mediator with the Supreme 

 Being, and as more immediately interesting himself 

 in the concerns oF individuals. To the Supreme 

 Being they offer in sacrifice a Gyal, as being their 

 most valued animal ; while to Sheem Sauk they 

 sacrifice a goat only. In every Parah, they have 

 a rudely formed figure of wood of the hiiman shape, 

 representing Sheem Sauk; it is generally placed 

 nnrier a tree, and to it they offer up their prayers 

 before they set out on any excursion or enterprize, 

 as the Deity tl}at controuls aisd directs their ac- 

 tions and destiny. Wlienever, therefore, they re- 

 turn successful, whether from the chace, or the 

 attack of an enemy, they religiously place before 

 Sheem Sauk all the lieads of the slain, or of their 

 game killed, as expressive of their devotion, and to 



O 2 record 



