1855.] Notes on Northern Cachar. 637 



pose ; these drinks are, at least some of them, not without an agreeable 

 flavour, and are but slightly intoxicating. They also distil a spirit 

 from rice, which is strong enough to ignite. The Kookies are how- 

 ever far from being intemperate, and are seldom or never seen 

 intoxicated. Without exception the Kookies are the most filthy 

 people on the face of the globe. Neither their bodies nor their 

 clothes are ever washed, and in consequence they are eaten up with 

 skin diseases, and their persons and garments swarm with lice, 

 these latter they pick from one another's heads in numbers, and 

 eat with the greatest gusto. Thi3 uncleanliness subjects them not 

 alone to cutaneous diseases, but to long and lasting visitations of 

 epidemics which sweep a quarter of the population away at a time ; 

 and the slightest flesh wound on their bodies or limbs festers and 

 becomes a serious sore. The women appear somewhat cleaner than 

 the men, and much less grave and sedate in their manner. The 

 men are generally silent and serious in their demeanour, patient 

 and slow to anger, bearing oppression for a long time without mur- 

 muring, but when roused at length they are uncontrolable in their 

 passion, and deliberate in their prosecution of revenge. Eeuds are 

 kept up for ages between the clans, and although they may not be 

 actually at war during the whole time, many petty injuries are- 

 inflicted, and insults bandied. 



Notwithstanding the prevailing custom of exacting large presents 

 for daughters given in marriage, the great desire among the people 

 is for male offspring, and when signs of parturition become apparent 

 the women pray and chant hymns to Puthen to favour their object. 

 The delivery is effected by means of professional matrons of the 

 village who are entitled to some small fee for their trouble. Should 

 the child be male, the mother sings a song of joy and thanksgiving, 

 giving expression to hopes of long life and honorable action on the 

 part of her progeny. Three days after the birth of a female child, and 

 five after that of a male, a feast is given to the immediate friends of 

 the family, of which the child itself partakes ! The mother masticates 

 a mouthful of rice until well salivated and then inserts it into the 

 mouth of the infant, after the manner of birds feeding their young : 

 and this mode of nourishment is ever after pursued, although the 

 milk is not wholly discontinued for several months. 



