142 ACCOUNT OF BHUTAN. 



hit a mark with a ball. They are afraid to fire a matchlock with more than 

 two fingers of powder, and when they load more heavily they tie the piece 

 to a tree, and discharge it from a distance. They are good archers, and their 

 arrows discharged from a height go to a great distance ; they also fight well 

 with a knife. When they fight with a Deb Raja, or the Pilos amongst 

 themselves, they stand at a distance, and fire arrows at each other, and if 

 one of them is killed both parties rush forward, and struggle for the dead 

 body; whichever of them may succeed in getting it, they take out the liver, 

 and eat it with butter and sugar ; they also mix the fat and blood with tur- 

 pentine, and making candles thereof, burn them before the shrine of the 

 deity. The bones of persons killed in Avar are also used for making musical 

 pipes, and of the skulls they make beads, and also keep them set in silver, 

 for sipping water, at the time of the performance of religious ceremonies. 

 When a person is killed in their squabbles, the Gelums usually interfere, 

 and make peace between the parties. The intestine broils which so fre- 

 quently occur in Bhutan are usually occasioned, either by the Deb Raja 

 doing something contrary to custom, or by his remaining too long in 

 his office .; in which cases the Zimpes, Pilos, &c. assemble and require him 

 to resign, and in the event of refusal a battle ensues. Jf the Deb Raja re- 

 signs, or is defeated, the assembly, with the consent of the Dherma Ra- 

 ja, chuse some one of themselves to succeed him, of the SJia or Waa tribe, 

 and who has already attained the dignity either of Zimpe or Pilo. These 

 battles always take place at the annual pujas in Assin and P'halgun. If 

 there is no person in the assembly fit for the office of the Deb Raja, they 

 select a Gelum, and if there is no fit person of that class, or if they can- 

 not settle the matter amicably amongst themselves, they send to Lhassa 

 for one. 



The Btiuteas do not fight in an open manner, but fire at one another 

 from a distance, and attack at night, or lie in ambuscade. They wear iron 

 caps and coats of mail, of iron, or quilted jackets ; they are armed with four 



or five knives in case of accidents, and they carry bows and arrows : be- 

 fore engaging they drink plentifully of fermented liquor : the Deb Raja 



