THE SPORTS AND GAMES OF THE SINGHALESE. 23 



the other, and lash them together with cords. The 

 two champions grasp the horns in their hands to prevent 

 their turning or slipping, and the word is given to pulh 

 Both teams now unite and haul at the rope passed through 

 the Henekande, while some half a dozen men of both 

 parties lay hold of the Henekande and sway it up and down, 

 as the rope in the hands of the pullers is tightened or 

 relaxed. The two champions hold on to the horns like 

 grim death, and are swayed hither and thither with every 

 motion of the rope. The contest lasts for hours, the 

 snapping of a rope only serving to prolong it with a fresh 

 splice, until one of the horns yields, and the pullers go 

 rolling and sprawling on the ground,* All the time the 

 mighty tug has been going on, the Kapurale is engaged at 

 a small booth constructed of white olahs under the Bo 

 tree, chanting the sacred hymns appropriate to the occa- 

 sion, jingling the Haiemha or consecrated armlets, and 

 burning incense to the accompaniment of Tom-tom, fife, 

 and cymbal. After the contest has been decided the whole 

 assembly go in procession through the villages that 

 participated in the ceremony, the Kapurale leading with 

 a chant, the champion carrying the victorious horn in a 

 basket on his hand, and every one joining in the Hoyia 

 chorus at the proper stops. By the time the procession 

 returns to the ground, a feast consisting of rice boiled in 

 Cocoanut milk, vegetable carries (for flesh of any kind is 

 forbidden) tire and honey is laid out on green plantain 



* In this as well as in the striking of cocoanuts, it is considered a 

 bad omen should the horn, or cocoanut of the upper team break. Such 

 an accident is looked upen as the consequence of the continued displea- 

 sure of the offended deity. Hence it is not unusual to concede the 

 victory, to the upper team by opposing a weaker horn. 



