1841.] Report on the Island of Chcdooha. 425 



having any connexion with them ; to this restraint is added, that she may 

 not touch her husband's head, save for the purpose of cleansing it, when 

 she makes obeisance before commencing work ; that she may not touch 

 the sacred books nor the consecrated image of Gandma, nor pass over 

 the shadow of a temple or any place containing the said image, but on 

 foot and barefooted. 



The villages of the western circles are, strange to say, in better condi- 

 tion, and cleaner than the eastern ones, and the houses display more 

 neatness and attention to repair. 



In erecting his hut, the Mug has only to purchase materials, the neigh- 

 bours assemble as soon as these are prepared, and his house is estab- 

 lished in a very short space of time. They are all constructed on the 

 same plan, raised on poles from the ground several feet ; the flooring 

 and walls are of bamboo matting, wove in a neat pattern ; the roof 

 of the Ahtup leaf neatly covered with a frame work of bamboo to prevent 

 its being injured by the monsoon winds. 



All apartments whether sleeping, sitting, cooking, bathing, or private, 

 are on this raised floor, through w T hich all refuse finds its way underneath, 

 where what is left by dogs and vermin, serves as manure for the garden 

 attached to each house. Shelter is also afforded underneath to the 

 poultry, of which they have much, and sometimes to the smaller kine. 

 The kitchen range is formed by a round tray of moist clay about 3 feet 

 in diameter, and 5 or 6 inches thick, leaving three small projections or 

 columns on its centre, whereon to rest the cooking pot, when dried in 

 the sun, it is fit for employment, and effectually protects the combustible 

 floor; the furniture consists of a few reed mats, and each member 

 possesses a wooden pillow, these are the whole amount. The rice for 

 the family meal is served up in a wooden bowl, around which the whole 

 party squat; the fish, flesh, fowl or vegetables are served in small 

 coarse China tea cups, the right hand, and the mouth are always washed 

 before, and after the meal ; water is the only beverage at the meal, 

 and when it is over, pawn is in use, and the cigar lit. Two meals suffice 

 during the day, the one at 7 in the morning, the other at sun down, 

 and both are very soon despatched. On taking a journey the meal is 

 carried in a few leaves bound up with a rattan ; on such occasions they 

 have also a practice of cooking rice, which I believe to be peculiar ; it 

 I is partly boiled, and then pressed with force into a bamboo, with 

 a further portion of water, and when full, the bamboo is put into 

 the fire, and roasted. The rice within, when dressed, thus keeps for 

 many days, and a bundle of these bamboos is the simplest 



