1840.] Granges Expedition into the Naga Hills. 951 



which blinds the villagers of the place attacked as to who the real 

 assailants are, as their excursions are generally performed at night. 

 The Nagas here about procure their brass ornaments from the village 

 of Gesinga, and their spears and daws from the Dewansa or Chokannew 

 Nagas. Their villages are of inconsiderable size, and they have but 

 few domestic animals ; some cows of the hill breed, pigs, and fowls, for 

 the purpose of sacrificing to their gods. 



They acknowledge the power of three gods, viz. 



1^^. Zanghuthee, or Janthee, the most powerful, to whom they 

 sacrifice cows, bullocks, or bulls. His power prevails in all serious 

 illnesses, and can kill or cure. 



2nd. Hyeong, to whom they sacrifice fowls only, his power is of 

 slighter extent. 



Zrd. Dherengana, to whom they offer hogs. 



The two latter are the tutelar gods of the village of Gafaga, each 

 village having different ones ; some of them think it necessary to sac- 

 rifice at one time, for any great worship, a cow, or bullock, a hog, and 

 a chicken a few hours old ; the former are eaten, but the latter is thrown 

 away. Zanghuthee is acknowledged by all of them. Goats are not 

 allowed as offerings. The physiognomy of the Nagas about here 

 partakes a good deal of that of the Cacharee, in consequence of the 

 admixture of the two tribes. I saw some Assamese who had been kid- 

 napped when young, and who had become so accustomed to the idle, 

 uncouth life of the Nagas, that they refused to leave them. 



Matrimony amongst these Nagas is a civil contract, unattended by 

 any religious ceremonies. The damsel is courted, and is presented with 

 fowls, dogs, and spirits, according to the fortune of the lover, and after 

 her consent and that of her parents (for they have the right of refusing) 

 is obtained, the accepted lover gives a feast to all her relatives. A day 

 being appointed for the union to take place, the whole of the villagers 

 are feasted ; they in return are obliged to present the new married 

 couple with a new house in the village. Any breach of marriage vows 

 is punished by a fine of a cow or hog, by the counsel assembled for 

 , trial of the culprits. One of the most singular customs is, that after 

 the birth of the first child, the parents and relatives of the new married 

 couple are prohibited from touching any other villagers, or any other 

 villagers from touching them, for two or three days ; should a villager 



