1862.] An account of Upper and Lower Suio&t. 265 



here the villages will be found lower down towards the centre of the 

 valley. These villages lying lower down have from the windings of 

 the river, and the different branches into which it separates as 

 already stated, streams of water running through them, very often, 

 indeed, more than there is any need of. The villages at the foot of 

 the different hills also, have, generally, small streams flowing close 

 by towards the main river. 



From Allah-ddandd to Chhar-bagh on the wuchah side of the 

 valley ; and from Chak-darah to Banddi on the lanivdah, which 

 places face each other, the villages are small and very close together ; 

 whilst lower down the valley towards the south-west, and higher up 

 towards the north-east, the villages are larger, and at a greater dis- 

 tance apart, often from two to three miles. 



In the more elevated parts of the valley, where rice is not culti- 

 vated, the land lying between the villages and the rise of the moun- 

 tains, is set apart for wheat and barley, and is dependent entirely on 

 rain for irrigation. 



The Afghan tribes, like all Muhammadans, have a great respect 

 for the last resting-places of their own dead, at least ; bub the Suwa- 

 tis seem to feel little compunction or respect on this head. I have 

 already mentioned that the strip of land lying between the villages 

 and the rise of the mountains, is set apart for the cultivation of 

 wheat and barley, and that, in that land also, their burying grounds 

 are situated. After a few years they allow these fields to lie fallow 

 for some time and plough up all the burying grounds, and, in future, 

 bury the dead in the fallow land ! This may be consequent on the 

 small quantity of land available for purposes of agriculture ; but still, 

 it appears a very horrible custom. 



On such occasions as I have referred to, they get as many ploughs 

 together as the village contains ; and preparatory to the commence- 

 ment of operations, it is customary to cry out to the dead : " Look 

 to yourselves! tuck up your legs: the plough is coming!" after 

 which they set to work and plough up the whole. They, however, 

 appear to have some respect .for persons who may have been of any 

 repute among them, and do not disturb their graves ; neither do 

 they disturb the graves of those who may have been slain whilst 

 fighting against the Kafirs or infidels ; for such are held in the light 

 of martyrs. 



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