640 Notes on Northern Cachar. [No. 7. 



tinues muttering some words in his unknown language : two small 

 threads of cotton are then tied round the neck of the woman, and 

 one round that of the man. These strings are never taken off 

 afterwards, but allowed to fall away of themselves in the regular 

 course of wear and tear, and are then not replaced. Lastly a small 

 comb is presented to each by the Thempoo, who again mutters 

 something in his mysterious accents, and the bride is then taken 

 away to her husband's house. 



Great religious importance appears to be attached to the comb 

 among the Kookies. The article itself consists merely of a number 

 of thin slips of hard bamboo, pointed at both ends, placed in a row, 

 and bound tightly and closely to one another at their centres, 

 resembling when made, a coarse small tooth-comb. This is always 

 worn entwined in the hair, which is long, and the Kookie never 

 separates himself from it, it being considered a most unlucky omen 

 to lose a comb. Each man has his own comb, and to use another's 

 or to allow another to use his is considered equally improper and 

 unclean, and subjects both parties to such witliering contempt from 

 others, that in many cases they do not survive it. Brothers even 

 cannot use the same comb, man and wife being the only people 

 allowed to do so. On £he death of any individual his comb is buried 

 with him, and his near relations break their combs, and remain for 

 three or four days with dishevelled hair, after which new combs 

 are again made. 



The most strict rules exist forbidding too close intermarriage in 

 families ; cousins cannot be so allied. Widows are permitted to 

 re-marry, but no woman can have two husbands. Legitimate chil- 

 dren take precedence, in inheritance, of the elder illegitimate ones. 

 But in default of legitimate issue a natural son succeeds to his 

 father's property before all other male relations whatever. Daugh- 

 ters inherit no wealth, but live in their father or mother's house till 

 married. It is not prohibited to intermarry with different clans, or 

 even with Bengalis or Mussulmans. But even the former practice is 

 much discouraged though sometimes practised, and the latter is 

 never heard of. Kookie women, it is true, have been abducted, and 

 become the concubines or slaves of some people in Cachar, but it is 

 seldom the case. The Thadon and Shingshon clans are closely allied, 



