1840.] The Hodesum (improperly called Kolehan), 803 



merely a means of glossing over the proceedings. The person de- 

 nounced had either to dip his hand into boiling ghee, or water, or stand 

 upon a red hot Koolharee (shovel) when, if scalded or burnt, he was de- 

 clared guilty, or he was tied up in a sack and thrown into the water, 

 with the option of floating on the top, if he could. 



The particulars of the ceremonies of divination and ordeal I cannot 

 describe, having no longer the means of gaining information from the 

 natives. Hitherto I have been writing from their dictation. The ac- 

 count of the creation, and of their marriages, and other rites, and their 

 mythology, have been translated almost verbatim from their lips. Hav- 

 ing now left them and their courftry, I conclude the theme from me- 

 mory. 



The Hos, although totally distinct from Hindoos yet, being a sim- 

 ple race have suffered that crafty people to lure them in many ways 

 into following their ceremonies, rites, festivals, and prejudices. Those 

 near the boundaries have become as subservient to Brahmins as any 

 Hindoos would be ; but on this subject 1 shall speak hereafter. The 

 " curse of caste" is strongly felt by them, and its follies strangely mix- 

 ed up with the distinctions of relationship. They divide themselves 

 into clans, called " Keelies," of which there are a great number. Who 

 the founders were, or whence they take their names, I never could as- 

 certain. A man cannot marry into his keely, as it is looked upon as a 

 kind of brotherhood ; neither can he eat with one of another keely. 

 They have separated themselves entirely from the race from which they 

 sprung, viz. the Mondas of Eastern Chootia Nagpoor, although Keelies 

 of similar names are found in both. When the separation took place, it 

 is impossible to say, but it has become marked not only in manners, 

 dialect, and dress, but in appearance. The Mondas form part of the good 

 tempered, but ugly figured Dhangurs seen in Calcutta. The Hos are, on 

 the contrary, eminently handsome, with figures like the Apollo Belvi- 

 dere. These last shave the hair off the forehead, and wear it tied be- 

 hind. The Mondas wear their locks dishevelled, or clubbed at the 

 top of the head, transfixed with a long pin or comb, and are at once 

 distinguished. 



The Hos are particular in their diet. They eat beef (all but the bor- 

 der and half Hindooised ones), mutton, goat's flesh, fowls, hares, deer, 

 and fish. The poorest classes eat pig, but unlike the Dhangurs, San- 



