316 On the Huli in Malwa. [No. 99. 



at the public Huli, are here also repeated in miniature ; the offerings, the 

 lighting of the pile, the seven parikram as, the bugulgir, in which last, those 

 have the opportunity of joining in homage, whom sickness or accident 

 may have confined to the house. After this every one having made a 

 tetich of rockna on his forehead, the party retires, rejoining the general 

 assembly, and the women taking its place repeat nearly the same cere- 

 monies, and amuse themselves with throwing abeer, (red powder) laugh- 

 ing, chattering, and singing till morning. The rabble in the interim 

 have remained at the public Huli enjoying the fun of flinging about 

 abeer, squirting water or oil, whose smell is not pleasant, (22) bandying 

 gali, (or abuse) "dancing, and singing like devils incarnate," and 

 shouting out (JHtWiKa-avjuaTa. After about two hours spent in this 

 manner, the whole body sets out on a tour through the village, drums 

 beating, women screeching, and every one trying to make as much 

 noise as possible; at length, about the eve of dawn, they halt at the 

 potail's house, and from thence gradually disperse to their respective 

 homes. On the first of Cheyt (known from the flinging about, and 

 marking with ashes) by the names of Duraheti (23) or Bhusm Bun- 

 dum (Sansct. Rujotsa,) every one shaking off the fatigues of the night, 

 rises after a few hours sleep, eager to commence the sports of the 

 day. This chiefly consists in flinging dust, and squirting water, 

 coloured with saffron or some such stuff, at each other, and is first 

 played among themselves by the members of each family. The women 

 take a part in the fun ; a man for instance runs up to his Bhajai (elder 

 brother's wife) having his palms smeared with wet abeer, and pre- 

 tending to make a salam, rubs it over her face. The lady takes the 

 joke in good part, requests to " soorma" his eyes on this happy morn- 

 ing, and covers his whole face with a kajul (lamp black), or perhaps 

 runs off with a part of his dress, which he only gets back by making 

 her a present. Such jokes having lasted a certain time, the men hasten 

 to the potail's chabutra, (terrace) the rendezvous of the village, and 

 where similar sports are being acted, but with more noise and licence. 

 The women of the family from above shower down dust and water on 

 the crowd below, who return the compliment by volleys of indecent 

 gali-gali, which is heard without a blush at this season alone, and does 

 not excite the slightest sentiment of anger. (24) Universal good humour 



22. Hamilton's Travels in India. Among the Birmans the throwing of water is 

 the principal amusement. 



23. The Duraheti is sometimes put off to the 3d or even the 5th. 



24. No respectable woman during the Huli will leave her house, except in case of 

 actual necessity, as every body she meets will insult her ; but in the midst of this ap- 





