1875.] T. H. Hendley — An Account of the Maiwar JBhils. 3G1 



danger, andreqixires assistance, he brings alibis friends around bim by raising 

 a peculiar trembling cry the ' kilki' (doubtless from ' kil', a sound ; ' kilkila', a 

 joyous sound), produced by rapidly striking the hollowed hand against the 

 mouth while shouting. The kilki is heard in the hills at a great distance, and 

 is the usual signal for all gatherings, men and women taking it up one after 

 the other. 



It may be observed here that Bhils do not run a muck and attack 

 every one they meet indiscriminately, as the Moplahs do, although when 

 inflamed with drink, they will attempt to attack a real or fancied enemy. 

 This remark applies to the race as well as to individuals. 



Divisions of time, &c— Of time little account is taken. The Bhil 

 never knows his own age ; one man is a ' jawan', youth, another a ' bhabha, 

 old man. The month is a lunar one, the year is called " bar" ("^JX^). 



Sports. — They have no games of chance. The only children's toys are 

 of mud or ears of corn. The boys and men play a game with sticks and a ball 

 made of rags, something like football and hockey combined, without much 

 aim, but with plenty of spirit. They sometimes run races, and enjoy football 

 when at Khainvara, playing without shoes ; they prefer, however, sitting 

 quietly talking and singing. They play upon a flute made of a piece of 

 bamboo, pierced with three or four large holes with a hot iron ; the sound is 

 sweet and simple without time or rythm. The men often play as they come 

 from the fields in single file, some of the party singing to the accompani- 

 ment. Amongst the Minas two flutes are often played at once, one serving 

 as an echo to the other. It is customary for one man to sing a verse of a 

 song, and for another to reply in a slightly different key. The Minas in 

 this respect seem to be more advanced than the Bhils ; the words of the songs 

 are being constantly varied^ but it is probable that the frame-work remains 

 unaltered — specimens are given below. The men are capable of tuition in 

 music ; some play fairly in the Khairwara band. 



Dancing. — At the Holi, before battle, and at all feasts, the men dance, 

 chiefly the ring dance called " Ghanna". 



Musicians take their place in the centre of the circle and begin to play 

 their drums, at first slowly, then more noisily as the performers grow more 

 excited ; the men revolve in a ring — now in single, now in double file — some- 

 times spread out, at others crowded together — now advancing, now receding 

 — again hand in hand, or dancing a pas seul. By and by wands appear, one 

 of which each takes in his hand, and as the dancer advances he strikes the 

 sticks of his neighbours, first that of the one to the rear and then that of the 

 one to the front, making a half or whole turn in doing so, all in harmony with 

 the music ; he jumps or goes sedately as his fancy moves him. The circle 

 sometimes revolves with, sometimes against, the sun ; as the excitement rises, 

 the speed increases, and some of the men, often after letting down their long 



