THE SAORIAS OP THE RAJMAHAL HILLS. 77 



DuARA GOSAIN OR BaRA DuARI GOSAIN. 



This godling is somewhat similar to Chark Gosain. The pujah is, however, per- 

 formed at the door or entrance of a house. The offering is a goat. No swing is 

 required for this pujah. 



The Saorias deny that there is any godling named Kul Gosain. They say 

 that if anyone has written about Kul Gosain , it was under a misapprehension. Kul 

 Gosain would mean " all the godlings," and the misapprehension has arisen in this 

 meaning, or in the Kul of the Sonthal meaning, " tiger. " Similarly the Saorias 

 do not recongnize Autga Gosain {see Dalton). They assert that someone has con- 

 fused A uiga with Ondga Bonga of the Sonthals. I would here note that Saorias agree 

 with me in thinking that Bedo by itself is not one of the terms applied to God. Bedo 

 means, large, great, chief, big ; it might be used with Gosain as, for instance, Bedo 

 Gosain {see Dalton), but not by itself. 



Chark Gosain At Machli Gosain. 



This godling is sacriricied to in the case of small-pox, cholera and other epidemics. 

 A swing is made and fixed outside the village, and those possessed ride thereon. The 

 place is selected by the Demno or other individual possessed. It is essential in this 

 case or the Demno and the Gurya priestess to ride on the swing. After doing so, 

 the Demno says, " The sickness now wishes to leave the village, kill the goat "(a white 

 he-goat is required) ; the goat being killed, the Demno sprinkles water all round ; the 

 swing is left standing and the people go home. 



Bodri Gosain, Chicken-Pox and Coughs. 



In this case no model is made. If the whole village joins the ceremony, a black 

 he-goat is essential and every householder offers something. These offerings are 

 carried to the spot indicated by the Demno, or other person possessed, and the 

 devil is here asked to leave the village. The person possessed drinks the blood of the 

 he-goat, or black fowl, in the case of the pujah being performed by a single house- 

 holder. 



Mangre Erwe. 



This pujah takes place on the Rajmahal side of the Hills and is done by subscrip- 

 tion. It has its origin in maladies and epidemics. The ceremony takes place within 

 the village. This pujah has a dance and song. 



Song (Malto.) 



Saki ballo keyeni dira managru 

 Danda taka ongira dira managru 



