238 THE SUPERINTENDENT OF ETHNOGRAPHY, BENGAL, ON 



protection of the village, and the exorcist often works upon the imagination of his 

 followers to such an extent that they believe that they see the godling running away 

 disguised asa dog or tree. 



Mantras, such as the Nrsimha mantra, are written with red ink on Bhurja patra of 

 pipal leaves and hung at the door, whilst mustard-oil is burned in a lamp fresh made of 

 mud every evening in the family Thakurghar. Muhammadans hang looking-glasses in 

 their houses, and affix slips of paper or pieces of wood to the doors. These bear texts 

 from the Quran, such as the Aqd-ul-kursi, the Sureh Taghaban, and the Arabic couplet 

 invoking the aid of the five souls (Muhammad, Ali, Fatima, Hassan, and Hosain). A 

 diagram consisting of letters of the alphabet, or their numerical values is sometimes added. 



When the epidemic has gained an entry, sherbet is made of chand (fermented milk) 

 and gur and placed on either side of the village. Sand and white mustard-seed are con- 

 secrated with mantras and scattered about it to drive the disease away. The villagers 

 walk barefooted through the streets and lanes in parties at night, or at dawn and sunset, 

 with drums, cymbals, and horns. The Hindus sing hymns and call on the name of 

 Hari. This ceremony is known as Hari Samkirttan, and is observed throughout the 

 Province. A Muhammadan Faqir either alone or at the head of a body of men, similarly 

 goes about reciting passages from the Quran and calling on God for delivery. A 

 drum, on the parchment of which texts have been inscribed, is sometimes beaten. 

 Needless to say he is remunerated for his labours, as are all the exorcists, and other 

 functionaries who are called in on this and other occasions. 



Brahmans are often called in to read the Durga Path and to worship Bhagvati and 

 Mahadeva. People recite the Bhagvat Purana day and night, one batch relieving another. 

 Sometimes ceremonies known as Astam and Cabbis Prahar are performed. A number of 

 persons dance for twenty-four or thirty-six hours round a tuhi plant shouting " Radha. 

 Govinda Jay " whilst the poor are fed. On the last day of the Cabbis Prahar a procession 

 goes through the village shouting Hari Bol. 



In Bihar an exorcist who is able to summon Mahamaya (Kali) sits with a garland of 

 red flowers round his neck and sings songs until he has worked himself into a frenzy. 

 Then, accompanied by his adherents, he goes round the village beating drums and sing- 

 ing songs (duJ) in praise of S'itala when smallpox is prevalent, or of Durga or Kali in 

 the case of cholera or plague. In his left hand he carries an earthen pot containing fire 

 which is fed with incense, ghi, and resin, and in his right hand a cane or a string of 

 horse-hair. Collections of rice and other offerings are made from house to house for a 

 public pllja. After the round has been completed, the pots are deposited beyond the 

 village boundaries. 



Among the Rajvamsis of Kuch Bihar subscriptions are begged by women, or are 

 collected by a party of men who carry a kac, or female figure, wearing a hideous mask, 

 and holding a sword in its hand. Drums are beaten, and a man, armed with a sword 

 and shield, has a mock fight with the figure, his victory symbolising the defeat of the 

 disease. A somewhat similar custom obtains in Rangpur, where two of the party wear 

 clothes and masks to represent Kali, and carry swords, whilst the rest are grotesquely 

 garbed and masked ; but in this case there is no mimic battle. 



