1865.] Description of a Mystic Play. 77 
Translation of a MS. obtained in Ladak regarding the Dancing on 
the 10th day of the 5th month, a great holiday.—By the Rev. 
H. A. Jarscuxs, of the Moravian Mission, Kyclang, Lahoul. 
“ Dance Boox or tue 107TH.” 
(After some preambulatry lines which I do not thoroughly understand, 
it continues as follows) :— 
The time for the first meeting on the 10th having arrived, the 
performers put on their attire and a nether garment* folded in many 
beautiful plaits. The leader in front, they enter running quicker and 
quicker, according to the measure, and form a circle for the dancing 
called.....+ Mustard seed is distributed among the dancers. Then 
making the sign of the Trident{ the following steps are gone through 
ales ee at the words§ ...... the right hand, and at the words......... the 
left is stretched out. (This motion I cannot clearly understand.) 
Then the leaders turning to the right, and the last in the line to 
the left, both advancing towards each other, the circle is again closed 
or formed. (Steps and dancing). Again making the sign of the 
‘Trident they retire. 
Now enter the Libators of Chang.|| With bells and fans in their 
hands, and slowly advancing form a circle (dancing ...... ) at the words 
ag tas: they take the offering of Libation to all the beings of the six 
classes] in the whole world. Hach one* prays for whatever wish he 
desires to be fulfilled. Now, after a signal from the cymbals, the large 
trumpets, (about 8 or 9 feet long), thin trumpets, globe trumpets, 
kettle-drums, pipes, &c., and the whistling with the mouth (that 
extremely shrill kind, which is produced by putting two fingers in the 
* Part of the clerical dress, very like a petticoat. 
+ Here occurs a considerable number of names of different motions, paces, 
and gestures, often repeated in this little paper, which cannot be translated 
nor can I properly describe them, as I am not acquainted with the terms used 
in dancing in the English language. 
{ Viz., with the hands. 
§ These refer to the words of the song which accompanies the dance. 
|| This word seems to comprehend all sorts of fermented liquors; thus in 
Lahoul and Kulloo rice-chang is most common; in Ladak barley-chang, a kind of 
‘malt liquor without hops; in Koonawur they make a grape-chang or wine. 
G The six classes of beings subject to iransmigration are cha deo (gods) ; 
Chamyin (asura demigods); mi (manusha men): dudro (animals): yidags 
Oba... 0.0... ) nyal wapa (or daitya the inhabitants of hell). 
* Viz. of the Lhamas present. 
