184 The " Kols" of Chota-Nagpore. 



short intervals at different places all over the country, and the atten- 

 dance, at some that I have seen, could not be under 5,000 people, all 

 enjoying themselves. 



When they enter the grove, the different groups join and dance the 

 khurriah together, forming one vast dancing procession. Then each 

 takes its own place and plants its flag and dances round it till near 

 sunset, when all go dancing home. This is followed by a carouse 

 in the village, after which the dance is often continued at the 

 " akrah" all night. 



At each of these " Jattras," a kind of fair is held, and fairings and 

 refreshments are to be had in abundance. The young men can treat 

 their partners with sweetmeats and do so, m As already observed, 

 there is a place in every village called " akrah" set apart for dancing 

 and ceremonies. This is a circular arena with a post in the centre, 

 and around it are benches for the spectators or for the dancers when 

 wearied, the whole being generally shaded by fine old tamarind, the 

 most beautiful of village trees. 



The season dances in the village open with the kurrum in July, 

 at the commencement of the planting season. There is a movement 

 in this dance called " hojar" when the girls suddenly kneel and pat 

 the ground in time to the music, as if caressing and coaxing it to be 

 productive. On the day appointed for the ceremony, the boys and 

 girls go in procession to the kurrum tree, cut and bring back to the 

 village some branches, which are planted in the akrah. An old 

 man with a liberal allowance of beer is placed to watch these, whilst 

 the young people refresh themselves. They all, old and young, then 

 assemble in the akrah, and one of the elders harangues them, and 

 after giving them much good advice, concludes by directing them to 

 commence the dance. The songs sung on this occasion are in Hindee, 

 and contain allusions to the flooded state of the rivers and fields. 

 They also sing an ode to the Satyomba Rajah. The kurrum is kept 

 by the Soodh or Hindoo population as well as by the Kols. 



After harvest of the earlier crop of the planted rice, in November, 

 the " matha" is danced by the boys and girls in the village. The 

 girls, moving in a semicircle and clasping e^h others hands, dance 

 with a very lively step and bowing motion of the body to the men 

 who sing and play to them. The girls have another dance at this 



