No. 43. — 1892.] ETHNOLOGY OP CEYLON. 237 



an appropriate, the most appropriate, but the one exactly- 

 corresponding with the term used by the Shanars them- 

 selves. The demons worshipped "are considered to be 

 of unmixed malignity — bond fide fiends ; and it is supposed 

 to be necessary to worship them, simply and solely because 

 they are malignant." Now, it is a startling fact that such a 

 system exists only amongst the Shanars and the low- 

 country Sinhalese, chiefly in the territories of the ancient 

 Euhuna. Neither has the introduction of Brahmanism in the 

 one case or of Buddhism in the other succeeded in shaking 

 the ancient foundations of the faith in demon-worship. 



It is a popular faith, and I have known a Buddhist gentleman r 

 a Mudaliyar, excuse the practice in Ceylon, on the ground that 

 cures of sick persons are effected by the impressions made 

 on their imagination by the hideous masks, the contortions 

 of the dancers, and their howls and shrieks, accompanied 

 with the noise of tom-toms all through the weary nights. 

 Animals are also sacrificed to demons amongst the Sinhalese 

 and the Shanars. The head is separated from the body, and 

 the blood-offering poured upon the' place prepared with 

 decorations of palm leaves and a few flowers. 



The origin of the Shamir and Sinhalese demonolatry lies in the 

 unknown depths of antiquity, an antiquity equal to that of the worship 

 of the elements or the heavenly bodies — 



and the remark applies to the demonolatry of Ceylon. 



All throughout these investigations the great fact must be 

 kept in mind that the Brahmans did not conquer South India as 

 they did Northern India, but came in peaceably, introducing 

 a higher civilisation, with caste rules and a pantheistic 

 philosophy. If we find these caste rules, so opposed to 

 Buddhist philosophy, in Ceylon, we must remember that 

 they have come second hand, unless a direct invasion or 

 settlement of Brahmans can be proved. There is no such 

 evidence, though a Brahman pretender may be traced, who 

 for a time seized some petty sovereignty, for instance in 

 Ruhuna. There were petty princes of Tamil territory, 

 old settlers distinguishable from invading Tamils. It is not 



