4» On Secrecy and Silence in North Indian Agricultural 



Ceremonies. 



By Sarat Chandra Mitra, M.A., B.L. 



If we examine the ceremonies performed in different parts 

 of Northern India in connection with various agricultural 

 operations, we find that some of these are characterized by two 

 striking features, namely, that these must be performed by the cele- 

 brants either without speaking or in profound secrecy. These 

 taboos against speaking and the presence of outsiders are 

 observed at the times of (a) sowing the seeds, (6) threshing the 

 harvested crops, (c) winnowing the threshed-out grains, (d) 

 heaping up the cleaned grains and (e) measuring the same. 



This taboo against speaking is based on the belief that, if 

 any talking is done or even if an ejaculation of any kind what- 

 ever is uttered, ill-luck would overtake the celebrants of the 

 ceremonies, for evil spirits would come and deprive the corn of 

 its substance and nutritive properties. 



We should, first of all, discuss the taboo against speaking 

 as it is enforced in connection with sowing operations. We 

 find that, among the Oraons of Chhota Nagpur, this vow of 

 silence is strictly observed at the time of sowing the paddy- 

 crops. Shortly after midnight preceding the day selected for 

 the commencement of sowing the paddy-field, an adult male 

 Oraon cultivator goes to one of his fields with a small quantity 

 of paddy-seeds, and, while going there or while he is engaged 

 in sowing the seeds, takes special care that he is not seen by any- 

 body else. Even should he come across some other person 

 while on his way to the field, he does not speak to him. Then 

 again, even if he is accompanied thither by another person, 

 they do not usually talk to each other ; or, should there be 

 any urgent need for talking, they do so in undertones. The 

 Orkons superstitiously believe that, should any person happen 

 to see the cultivator going to the field and mumble to himself 

 the words : " Look ! The man over there is going to sow his 

 fields." the utterance of this remark, or even the rising of this 

 thought in the former's mind, would exercise a baleful influence 

 on the paddy -crops and prevent them either from growing 

 vigorously or yielding a bumper harvest. 1 



Let us, then, examine the taboo as observed in connection 

 with the threshing ceremonies of Northern India. Whatever 



i The Oraons of Chhota Nagpur, By S. C. Roy, M.A., B.L. With 

 an Introduction by Dr. A. C. Haddon. Ranchi : 1915. pp. 141-152. 



