38 GEORGE D-S-DUNBAR ON 



when clearing the hill side. It is of course within the bounds of possibility that these 

 discs of metal were made by some long- forgotten dwellers in these hills. But I am not 

 prepared to hazard an opinion either as to their origin or what purpose they served. 



Besides his merangs the well-to-do hill-man may possess one other heirloom of 

 unknown age and origin. This is the copper scarab-like ornament called the dine ! 

 This, unlike the merang, is used as an amulet. 



Another interesting form of metal work is the disc, or rough Maltese Cross with 

 one, or sometimes two, cones projecting from it. These vary considerably in work- 

 manship, but are generally made of the danki metal. One that has been measured 

 was Af\ inches across, with the projecting cone i inch in length. The point of the 

 projection is frequently a cylinder that, if it were found in Tibetan hands, would cer- 

 tainly contain a charm or prayer ; these, however, appear to be empty and some at least 

 from their rough workmanship seem to be copies of metal work imported from Tibet. 

 These pieces of metal work are provided with a loop under the disc to enable them to 

 be worn as charms. They are said to have a medicinal value. As there is a second 

 type in which the apex of the cone is surmounted by a miniature bey op doubled over 

 almost into the form of a cylinder, the charms appear to be both male and female. 

 It is conjectured that they are aphrodisiacs. Small rough cymbals, which these 

 charms sometimes rather distantly resemble, are also found in the possession of the 

 hill-men. 



In connexion with the statement that has appeared that the Maltese Cross design 

 is the last surviving trace of missionary work that was undertaken in the Abor hills 

 about 50 years ago, it may be observed that some of the plaques appear to be very 

 much older, and that a very similar design appears on some of the cloth that is yearly 

 imported through the upper Dibang valley from Tibet. The cross in its simplest 

 form, surrounded by a circle, or ornamenting some circular object, is exceedingly 

 common ; it appears on the blue imitation turquoise beads that come from Tibet 

 and is the design with which the bey ops are ornamented. It is identical with the 

 Wheel of Life symbol on the dankis. 



The most interesting personal property belonging to the Daflas of the lower 



Kamla valley (apart from the metal- work already re- 

 ornaments of neighbouring tribes. c i.v -iT-Ll J. • £ • 1-1 



ferred to) consists of the strings of immense blue porce- 

 lain beads of Tibetan origin, some of which are of considerable age, and the chowris 

 of serow hair dyed red set in worked metal holders (sometimes these are of silver) that 

 the women hang round their necks. They also wear the metal charms and bells 

 worn by the Daflas to the west of them and by their eastern neighbours. 



The Chulikata and Bebijia Mishmis are very poor in metal ornaments. The 

 headmen, however, sometimes own Tibetan drums, and brass cymbals which are 

 used when the village has a dance. The Digaru and Meju women of the Lohit 

 valley, on the contrary, are loaded with silver ornaments, beautiful examples of 

 Tibetan charm boxes, and plain neck-rings of solid silver that they make, in their 

 own country, from rupees, for silver money comes into the Lohit valley from both 

 China and India. 



