74 MR. R. B. BAINBRIDGE ON 



obtained and the date is fixed, while the Banddri gives the invitations. One day before 

 the pujah a clump of bamboos 1 is chosen and ftochai, rice, sindur and a fowl are taken 

 to it. The sindur is applied to the bamboos and the offerings are placed beneath. 

 The fowl is killed and the blood is sprinkled over the bamboos saying, " O Ber Gosain, 

 Darmdre Gosain , may the Ddld Gosain be pleased to accept these things and give us 

 prosperity." Two bamboos are cut down, and carried into the village, and placed 

 in front of the householder's doorway. Two plantain trees are then cut down with 

 a sword or axe, the bark is split into small pieces and the singers sit thereon. The 

 bamboos are now split into thin strips and these strips are woven to form an oblong- 

 shaped shallow basket. After this a pot of ftochai is given to the weavers, who 

 sprinkle a little on the basket, saying, " Mayst thou be pleased with our labours." 

 The Tdllu then takes the Ddld inside the house and places it beside the Gumo Gosain. 

 The Demno sits here and begins his incantations, while the Tdllu Beddu puts makai, 

 ftochai and oil into the Ddld. He also kills a fowl and sprinkles the blood over the 

 Ddld and the Gumo Gosain. It may be borne in mind that a man cannot sacrifice to 

 Ddld Gosain , without having sacrificed to Gumo Gosain in the first instance. On this 

 occasion Gumo Gosain receives a he-goat. After this the Ddld Gosain is given to the 

 Demno, who, placing it on his head, goes round the Gumo Gosain five times with four 

 men holding the four corners of the Ddld Gosain . This is in reality a dance and the 

 makai is scattered all over the house inside, while drums are beaten outside The 

 Demno and others sing : — 



Translation 



" Sari Bayi bareni qarion ku, 

 Cudeh Baiyi bareni qarion kii." — (Malto). 



The younger sister comes, abuse her not , 

 The younger sister comes, reject her not. 



After this the party goes outside, with the Ddld Gosain and joins the drummers. 

 Every one then carries the Ddld Gosain five times round the house singing : — 



" Majureri, pakireri, jolnihi, dignihi kel kelatri.t 

 Ithahi mara menja, Ddld Gosainyi." ? — (Malto). 



Translation 



" With drums and peacock plumes we play and dance, 

 And dreaded Ddld greatly pleased perchance ! " 



The greater part of this scene cannot be described without shocking the proprie- 

 ties. A grotesquely indecent dance is performed by the Demno and others who are 

 mad with drink as a rule. The Demno fans himself during this amazing performance. 



I Planted bamboos, not jungle bamboos. 



•2 Correct way of spelling Gosain in Malto. I have, however, adopted the usual method throughout. The rest of this song 

 is too grossly inderent for translation and I have therefore expunged the balance. 



