Vol. 1X, No. 2.] Fr. Krick among the Abors (1853). 121 
[N.S.] 
long sword, performs a wild dance. Without ceasing to whirl 
sapidly round, he throws in the air a handful of rice, the grains p. 198. 
of which go in search of the soul of the patient. As the grains 
drop on the blade of his sword, this skilful performer catches 
the soul in its flight, proudly shows it to the onlookers, fast- 
ened on the point of his sword in the shape of an unfledge 
bird, and runs to tie it on the top of the patient’s head. If 
the soul returns to the body, the patient will not die; but 
he would be hopelessly lost, should the bird succeed in freeing 
itself and fly away on its miraculously acquired wings and 
feathers 
My in nformants were sorely disappointed at my incredu- 
lity, and swore that every sine word of theirs was the truth 
ure and simple. ‘‘ We have often witnessed the facts as we 
“« describe awed so they asia, ‘* and we can’t understand how, 
‘* priest’s power. The first time a man will fall sick in the 
‘* village, we shall take you to him, and you will see the 
“< truth for yourself.’’ 
What appears more certain and more tangible are 404 
penances and privations these ag are ready to undergo 
propitiate or appease the spirits. They unhesitatingly ce: p. 199. 
y mortification and trial, except that of visiting the sick; 
for to see a sick man, or to have wen tose 3 to do with hi 
would be running into the j jaws of a bad spiri 
» When I was staying at Mimbo, the silken went out 
cutting rattan twigs for the construction of a bridge ; iit of 
acy. 
The bridge was erie sale the protection of a ae 
spirit who received sacrifices to his heart’s content. To ave 
proof of still greater generosity, the whole village made genna,! 
t.c., took a three days’ h holiday in honour of the spirits. 
odour of sanctity with the deos. At the birth ‘of a child, the 
whole family is impure for a number of days varying accord- 
ding to oe sex of the child. 
ts do not marry before the age of 18, though it cord p- 200. 
happen ant a younger bride be received into the bridegroo 
family and treated as a daughter of the house. For the first 
five or six years of her marriage life, the wife continues to 
es 
The N Tribes of Manipur, p. 164), 
: srteasehe ig Heh vat ine aa s ‘anything forbidden or orohibi ibi eee 
Tt is is likely pin among apr Abors, genna is but a taboo upon 
