Nov. 1850. MUNNIPORE DANCES. 331 



which is white when fresh, and requires to be kept under 

 water.* 



One fine moonlight night we went to see a Munnipore 

 dance. A large circular area was thatched with plantain 

 leaves, growing on their trunks, which were stuck in the 

 ground ; and round the enclosure was a border neatly 

 cut from the white leaf-sheaths of the same tree. A 

 double enclosure of bamboo, similarly ornamented, left an 

 inner circle for the performers, and an outer for the specta- 

 tors : the whole was lighted with oil lamps and Chinese 

 paper lanterns. The musicians sat on one side, with cym- 

 bals, tomtoms, and flutes, and sang choruses. 



The performances began by a copper-coloured Cupid 

 entering and calling the virgins with a flute; these appeared 

 from a green-room, to the number of thirty or forty, of all 

 ages and sizes. Each had her hair dressed in a topknot, 

 and her head covered with a veil ; a scarlet petticoat loaded 

 with tinsel concealed her naked feet, and over this was a 

 short red kirtle, and an enormous white shawl was swathed 

 round the body from the armpits to the waist. A broad 

 belt passed over the right shoulder and under the left 

 arm, to which hung gold and silver chains, corals, &c, 

 with tinsel and small mirrors sewed on everywhere : the 

 arms and hands were bare, and decorated with bangles 

 and rings. 



Many of the women were extremely tall, great stature 

 being common amongst the Munniporees. They com- 

 menced with a prostration to Cupid, around whom they 

 danced very slowly, with the arms stretched out, and the 



* This turns of a beautiful black colour wheu applied to a surface, owing, 

 according to Sir D. Brewster, to the fresh varnish consisting of a congeries of 

 minute organised particles, which disperse the rays of light in all directions ; the 

 organic structure is destroyed when the varnish dries, and the rays of light are 

 consequently transmitted. 



