1868.] The Hill-triles of the Northern Frontier of Assam. 201 



may be seen in use amongst them. They likewise chew betel which 

 they obtain in the plains, but tea as a beverage is not in use among 

 them, although they keep up a constant intercourse with their Butan 

 neighbours. The well-known ardent drink however-a species of 

 beer, called Mod— prepared by all the aborigines of Assam and its 

 frontier hills, the Akas too drink to excess. 



The dress of the Angka has nothing national, or nothing that conld 

 distinguish them from other hill-men that border on Assam, except 

 the profusion of Eria cloth wound round their bodies in all manner of 

 ways, and a kind of half-trousers which consist in a piece of Eria cloth 

 tied in such a fashion beneath the knee, as to allow the fringes to hang 

 down over the ankles. When they move, the ample folds of this 

 kind of legging, keep swinging and flying about their feet, and thus 

 this piece of garment seems to answer admirably the purpose for which 

 it is intended, namely to keep off the leeches and stinging insects, 

 such as the musquitoes and the dum-dam. 



As a head-dress the Aka often wears a kind of ring-cap or crown 

 made of cane, three inches high with one or two tall feathers in front. 

 However the felt-caps of the Butias are as commonly met with, while 

 those who claim the rank of a raja sport rings or crowns such as those 

 alluded to, only made of thin wood instead of cane, and covered with 

 embossed silver. Tagi himself, however, never appears in the plains 

 without his Tibetian hat of japanned wood of a bright yellow with a 

 glass-knob on top, and a blue silk damask robe of state, of Chinese 

 manufacture, but rather faded. All are fond of beads, and they wear 

 them in profusion. Thus dressed up, they appear on state occasions 

 only, the long sword at their side, and one or two minor weapons for 

 cutting besides. When at home, the Aka looks more the savage, and 

 dispenses with most of his garments. But winter is severe, and then 

 he appreciates the neighbourhood of Assam, and the cloth of the 

 rayats of Balipara. 



In appearance, the Angka bears the same family-likeness with the 

 other Turanian hill-tribes ; he is a well-made and strongly built man, 

 with more of daring and defiance in his look than the Dana or even 

 the Naga. 



He is ignorant of the art of reading and writing, and though 

 he covets the productions of art which Assam and Butan supply, 



