302 TlMEHRI. 



As the procession emerged from the bush it was seen 

 to be composed of thirty-five of these fantastically 

 dressed figures (Parasheera)^ each dressed exactly as 

 above described except that in each case the figure which 

 surmounted the trumpet-wood dancing- stick represented 

 some different obje6t of the heaven or of the earth ; or 

 in some few cases was replaced by a long rattling band 

 of rattle seeds (Thevetia nerrifolia). Almost all the 

 performers were grown men, but the last half dozen or 

 so were boys of various sizes down to the smallest. 

 The first three men were accompanied by their wives, 

 who were, however, not in the rank, but walked, or 

 rather pranced, each by the side of her husband, her 

 hand on his shoulder. These women were entirely with- 

 out clothing or ornament except the usual small bead 

 apron ; and each had as solemn a face as if she were 

 taking part in the gloomiest or most sacred of rites. 



As the party of parasheera and the kimiti met, the 

 former blew, though that had seemed impossible, more 

 vehemently and more deeply through their deep-toned 

 trumpets, the latter redoubled — nay, increased beyond 

 the power of words to express — their ear-splitting 

 whistling. All, of both parties, postured and capered, 

 and stamped, and waved their sticks till the whole was 

 welded into as strange a phenomenon of sight and 

 sound as eye ever saw, ear ever heard, or mind ever 

 conceived. The parasheera came on slowly but steadily; 

 and as they did so the kimiti whirled round and round 

 the advancing line, even while at the same time they 

 were posturing and capering, and— as it were — turning 

 on their own axis, as frantically as ever. Meantime I 

 had wedged myself with my small hand camera against 



