1851.] Notes upo?i a Tour through the Rdjmahal Hills. 557 



The above verdicts for good or evil, are to be pronounced when 

 judgment is held before Bedo Gosain. 



They also believe in angels or messengers both good and evil, and 

 that they are the especial messengers of Bedo Gosain. Their officiat- 

 ing priests or oracles are named Demanu ; any one fancying the call- 

 ing appears to take it up, no preparation beyond fasting being requisite 

 to constitute such an official ; they foretel events, and threaten the 

 unruly, comfort the afflicted, pray for all, promise blessings to those 

 seeking them, and answer all difficult questions regarding futurity ; 

 they kill the sacrifices, regulate the religious dances, feasts, and cere- 

 monies, and lastly they exorcise devils and evil spirits. 



Marriage. — A man may marry as many wives as he can conveniently 

 manage to support ; four wives appearing to be the maximum. A 

 young man having taken a fancy to a young girl of adult age, shows 

 his love for her by an exchange of presents, walking with her, giving 

 her toddy to drink and by sleeping on the same bedstead with her ; 

 should any indiscretion arise previous to marriage from the young 

 couple sleeping together, they are considered disgraced and are visited 

 with fine. A few presents to the girl's father, a feast and a sacrifice 

 of a goat or some poultry complete the matrimonial ceremonies. 



A man dying and leaving widows, they are, if agreeable to the 

 arrangement, married to their late husband's younger brothers, or 

 cousins, or to any one else they fancy. 



Adultery and fornication on the part of either sex is punishable 

 with fine, and the ill effects effaced by sacrifice and feasting. 



Witchcraft and sorcery are firmly believed in ; the test, as is usual 

 in almost all countries of the world being fire. The suspected person 

 being obliged to pass hot irons over his tongue, hands and feet, and as 

 human flesh must suffer from the contact of red hot-iron, conviction 

 is a matter of course, and gives an opportunity for a sacrifice and the 

 usual accompanying feast. 



Upon the birth of a child the mother keeps to her house for five 

 days attended upon by her husband ; on the fifth day the child is 

 named by the parents. 



The dead are buried. 



The men swear by salt. 



The whole tribe are without any caste ; partaking of all sorts of 

 food even to the flesh of the cow and swine. 



