322 -T. Butler — Rough Notes on the Angami Ncigds. [No. 4, 



civilized and advanced among nations (whether ancient or modern, Christian 

 or heathen) have found how difficult is the task of sailing between the 

 Scylla of a Puritanical strictness which would keep the sexes almost 

 wholly apart, and the Charybdis of a laxity to which it is difficult to put 

 bounds. Here we have got a primitive state of society which, although it 

 would not for a moment recognize, or even allow to exist, that plague 

 euphemistically termed a " social evil", and although it punishes any serious 

 breach of the marriage contract with death itself, yet never dreams of con- 

 ceiving it possible that perfect continence on the part of the unmarried 

 (or free portion of society) is to be either demanded or even desired. It 

 may be asked, What are the consequences ? I reply — Prostitution is a thing 

 unknown here, and all the foul diseases, that follow in its train, are evils 

 to which Naga flesh has not been born an heir. Here no Naga Lais plies 

 her shameful trade. A Naga woman would scorn to barter for her person. 

 And woe betide the mercenary lover who seeks to gain his end by other 

 ways than those of love. Young men and maidens mix together with 

 almost all the freedom allowed by nature's law. Incontinence on the part of 

 the married however is rare, and an unfaithful wife is a thing almost unheard 

 of, but then the penalty is death. Marriage and divorce are among the simplest 

 of their rites, and sad to say, often follow each other within the year without 

 comment or surprise. " Incompatibility of temper" is here quite sufficient for 

 either the man or woman to demand a divorce, and to take it. Although 

 strictly monogamous, both sexes can marry and remarry as often as they 

 please. Such offspring as require the maternal aid follow the mother, and 

 are tended and cared for by her until able to look after themselves, when 

 they return to the father. Men may not only marry their deceased wives' 

 sisters, but they may likewise marry their brothers' widows. On the other 

 hand, it is altogether forbidden for cousins to intermarry. Parents may 

 advise, but never attempt positively to control, the choice of their sons and 

 daughters. Marriage is usually solemnized by a large feast, and the bride- 

 groom, when he can afford it, makes a present to the bride's parents. 

 Divorce necessitates a division of all property held in common, such as grain, 

 household furniture, &c, and all property derived since the two became man 

 and wife. In any division thus made, the late wife or divorcee gets one-third, 

 whilst the man takes the remainder, and the woman then either returns to her 

 own parents, or lives apart in a separate house until she marries again. 



On the death of the father all property, excepting the house, is 

 divided equally among all the sons alone, the youngest always receiving 

 the house in addition to his share of the whole. Neither the widow nor 

 daughters have any claim to aught except their clothes and ornaments, but 

 they are generally supported by the sons until death or marriage. 



The only national, offensive weapons, used by the Angami, are the spear 



