1884.] Major Macgregor — Notes on the AJcas. 205 



Bridges. — These are of two kinds, viz., the cane cradle suspension 

 and the haho. The former, which is used when the river is very deep 

 and rapid, is formed by one or more long and strong canes, which are 

 stretched from bank to bank ; they are attached at either end to a kind 

 of scaffolding of bamboos, which is kept securely in position by the aid 

 of large stones piled round it. If there is a convenient tree, one end of 

 the cane is attached to it. Round the thick cane three or four thin cane 

 loops are attached, and to this is fastened another cane, which is used 

 as a pulley ; the voyager seats himself in the cane loops, throws his head 

 well back, grasps the cane above him, throws his legs over the cane, 

 and allows himself to slide down the cane. Up to his arrival at the 

 centre the work is easy, after that he has to haul himself up-hill, using 

 his hands and feet, his body being supported in the small cane loops. 

 This is a very fatiguing process, and a severe strain on the muscles. 

 When women and children are obliged to use the cradle bridge (and all 

 must use it in the rains), they are hauled across by means of the pulley, 

 and in this way nearly all the stores for the advanced party were crossed 

 over the Maj Bhoroli. A cradle basket capable of holding two maunds 

 was constructed by one of the Survey Officers, and in this provisions 

 and baggage were pulled across. The width of the River Maj Bhoroli 

 where the Aka cradle bridge is constructed is about 65 yards, and the 

 water rushes below in a regular torrent. The other description of 

 bridge is called by the Assamese a hako bridge ; it is somewhat like a 

 trestle bridge ; the roadway is made of bamboos, and the whole structure, 

 which is rather infirm, is tied together by cane lashings and creepers. 



The Akas trade with Bhutan to the north-west, and with the plains 

 of Assam to the south. From Bhutan the following articles, viz., cloth- 

 ing, warm blankets, daos, swords, and silver ornaments, are obtained, 

 and rupees, which are got by the sale of rubber to the Kyahs in the 

 plains, are given in exchange. 



From Assam the Akas procure rupees, iron, salt, cotton, and silk 

 goods. Rubber is the chief source of wealth of the Akas. Good rubber 

 (i. e., not rubber shells filled up with mud, a common trick of the simple 

 savage) is worth about Rs. 60 a maund. At present the rubber supply 

 is large ; but the " feckless " way in which the Akas treat the trees will 

 probably soon lessen their source of supply. The social status of the 

 Aka is generally estimated by the number of mithun (semi-domesticated 

 bison) which he is the owner of. The value of these animals averages 

 about Rs. 90 ; they are used only as an article of food, and are not used 

 for agricultural purposes, neither are they milked (the Akas, in com- 

 mon with all the hill tribes on the north-east frontier, look upon milk 

 as an unclean article, and never use it) . Mithun are given by a bride- 



