CEYLON COCOA ESTATE 145 



Superstition is another national character- 

 istic. I have previously mentioned the deserted 

 coolie lines at Raneetotem — deserted, because 

 they are supposed to be infested by " presassies " 

 or devils. A short time ago, a gang of new 

 coolies arrived on the estate ; before being 

 taken on, it was explained to their kangany 

 that if they came here, they would have to 

 occupy these lines which would be done up, and 

 made comfortable for their reception, the 

 new coolies meanwhile sharing the already 

 much over-crowded quarters of our people. To 

 all this the kangany agreed. He said, " he 

 wasn't afraid of any devils nor were his coolies, 

 and directly the place was ready they would 

 occupy it." Accordingly the necessary repairs 

 were carried out, the surrounding ground on 

 which were lots of fruit trees, was cleared and 

 made to look neat, and soon all was ready, 

 including an excellent well of water. For 

 several weeks the kangany made excuses for 

 not moving in, and at last he and his coolies 

 flatly refused to go there, and face the devils, 

 making the excuse that the women of the party 

 were timid, and would not hear of staying there 

 alone whilst the men were at work. It would 

 be unwise to compel them to go, for they 

 would either run away in a body (which would 

 be inconvenient) or else some of the more 

 Nuervous might die of fright. 



