652 Notes on Northern Gaehar. [No. 7. 



they use panjies, making them somewhat larger than the Rookies, 

 and carry a huge shield some five or six feet in length by one and a 

 half broad, made of mat-work with bear and tiger skins stretched 

 over it and decorated at the sides and top with feathers and plumes 

 of goat's hair. These shields are worn, attached by a thong, round 

 the neck, in the centre of the inner side there is also a handle for 

 the grasp, and the whole is supposed to cover the individual from 

 the sole of the foot to the crown of the head, but it seems to be a 

 very cumbrous and ineffectual defence, although most adroitly 

 managed by those who carry it. The Angamie dress consists of a 

 black cloth kilt, very tastefully ornamented with white cowrie shells 

 rubbed to a fine polish, wrapped tightly round the thighs. A cover- 

 ing of coarse black or white cloth is thrown over the shoulders, and 

 the leg just above the calf is girded with a number of thin cane 

 strings. In travelling, the whole of the leg from the ankle to the 

 knee is enveloped in gaiters made of mat-work and dyed red and 

 yellow. In war a collar is worn ornamented with red dyed goat's 

 hair and shells. 



The Angamies are very fond of ornaments, and prize shells and 

 brass-wire more even than the Aroong Nagas. 



They are expert thieves and glory in the art, for among them, as 

 with the Spartans of old, theft is only dishonourable and obnoxious 

 to punishment when discovered in the act of being committed. 



One custom practised among them may perhaps give a hint to 

 some gourmands in civilized life, who consider that whipping a 

 sucking pig to death, instead of legitimately sacrificing it, developes 

 in a greater measure the delicacy of the flavor. The Angamies, when 

 preparing a fowl for the table, pluck all the feathers off while the 

 animal is still alive, and releasing it, stone it to death, maintaining 

 that the flesh is highly improved by this process ! 



During the settlement of the frontier on the occasion of the lapse 

 of Cachar to our Government in 1832, the Angamies were first 

 brought to our notice, having endeavoured to intercept our officers 

 when crossing the hills between Manipur and Assam. They were 

 attacked and defeated with ease owing to their having at that time 

 no knowledge of fire-arms. Nevertheless in the succeeding year, 

 an expedition into their hills was met with the most determined 

 resistance. 



