46 MR. R. B. BAINBRIDGE (ON 



S aorta. 



This term is of doubtful origin, but has probably arisen in the expression "Savala 

 Paha;;" the name by which the Rajmahal Hills have been known to the Hindus. 



The Sonthals call the Saorias Munda, and the Hindus call them Paharias. 

 The term "Munda" is used by Sonthals who have seen the "Mundas " of Chota 

 Nagpore. The Saorias, however, protest against the appellation. 



The Saorias have five divisions ; these are territorial in nature, viz., Parte, Mandro, 

 Pubbi, Chetteh and Dakrhi. Parte occupies the centre of the Hill Tract ; Mandro 

 is found on the north ; Pubbi on the east ; Chetteh is found on the east from Tin- 

 Pahar ; Dakrni is found on the South and in Pakur Subdivision. The tinhabitants of 

 these divisions marry without restriction. Great dissimilarity in language exists ; 

 and the Mandro is frequently unable to comprehend the speech and intonation of the 

 Dakrni. 



II. Traditions and Legends. 



The traditions and legends of the Saorias are meagre, and I am unable to spare 

 time to dwell on their folklore and fairy tales. The following legend is related by 

 aged men after festivals to the youth of both sexes. I have translated the story 

 exactly as related. Questions as to what became of the participants, in the feast, 

 only result in imaginary exaggerations : — 



" In the beginning lived Bhim Rajah and Bhim Rani ; they had seven sons and 

 seven daughters. The sons were great hunters — they hunted every day. The seven 

 daughters were great cooks, and they used to cook for their brothers. Food was 

 always ready for the hunters in their dwellings ; but the cooks were never seen as they 

 used to conceal themselves in the paddy stacks (dhan stacks) within the houses. The 

 seven brothers desired to see the cooks, and, accordingly, took counsel together, and 

 left the eldest brother concealed within the house in a straw-heap. His watch was 

 unsuccessful, but the food was placed for him. In this way six brothers hid them- 

 selves and failed to discover the cook. The youngest brother then concealed himself 

 in the tatii (screen) of his dwelling. It was the custom of the girls to cook in Bhim 

 Rajah's house and then carry the food to the houses of their brothers. He saw the 

 girls husking rice in the same ukyhi all together. They brought food to each house 

 and then returned to Bhim Rajah's house, and, sitting in a line, began to search for lice 

 in each others heads. Then the youngest brother appeared before them and said : 

 ' It is you then who have been giving us food ? ' They said : ' Yes, why should you tell 

 it everywhere ? ' He answered : 'I will tell.' Then the youngest brother, touching 

 their persons, said : ' You are my eldest sister-in-law, and so on, until he came to the 

 youngest, when he said : ' You are my wife.' He then took them to the houses of his 

 brothers, and he hid his own wife in a dili (large basket used for keeping rice). When 

 the other brothers came back they asked him : ' Have you found anyone ? ' He said : 

 ' Yes, see in your own houses, you have all received but I have got nothing.' The rothers 

 then ate their meal and again questioned the youngest brother. Then he confessed 

 and produced his wife. Being very happy the brothers arranged a great feast and 



