16 



An account of the Maun Bhows. [J an. 



hands of his shisha Purbahknr. Should any of the disciples 

 die worth any property, the Mhunth succeeds to it, but the 

 money is expended in celebrating the customary rites on the 

 occasion of his death. And if a disciple dies in destitute 

 circumstances, the expenses incurred at his funeral, are always 

 defrayed by the Mhunth. Unless one of the brotherhood 

 who is a very particular friend of the deceased, expresses a 

 wish to bear the charges of the funeral expenses. 



The Maun Bhow's Mhutts are sometimes outside ofrvil- 

 lages, on the banks of a river, or in the middle of the town, 

 and occasionally at a considerable distance from any dwelling. 

 When the Mhunth proceeds on his wandering tour, he leaves 

 one or two of his followers in charge of the Mhutt, with 

 permission to appropriate to their own use any thing that may 

 be granted in charity during his absence. The Mhunth takes 

 from twenty to fifty of his followers with him (including fe- 

 males, boys and girls) and always uses a Palkie, in which his 

 followers (acting as bearers) convey him from place to place. 

 The rest of his followers disperse over the country, and con- 

 tinue moving about for several years, unless asked by some 

 charitable person to reside in some particular village for a 

 few weeks, months, or longer period. The Mhunth probably 

 will return, after the expiration of one or two years, to his 

 Mhutt. 



During the four rainy months,* the Maun Bhows discon- 



* For containing water they have at times vessels of various sizes made of 

 five or seven folds of cloth soaked in the juice or oil of the Bheelawun or marking 

 nut, (the semecarpus Anacardium) and the cloth being plastered inside and out- 

 side with red ochre, it gives these vessels a degree of consistency and an appear- 

 ance as if they were made of earth. It is invariably during the rainy season that 

 these vessels are manufactured ; they are highly prized by the Maun Bhows ; the 

 operation of making them is however extremely tedious; and few persons can. 

 undertake to execute such work owing to the very peculiar quality of the Bheela- 

 wun ; the expressed juice of this nut touching any part of the hands, face, neck, 

 &c. produces not only a most disagreeable itchy sensation, but it causes the arms 

 and face to swell, and small sores or pimples to arise in consequence. (I once saw 

 an officer at Ahmednuggur who experienced pain and much annoyance from its 

 effects). The few persons that are engaged in making these vessels rub their hands, 

 ^cice, neck and breast with any of the common oils procurable in the bazars ; and 

 their food ought to consist chiefly of sour milk and butter milk ; and to abstain 

 from spices or any heating ingredients. Those of a plethoric habit run less risk of 

 suffering from the effects of this nut. The natives use the Bheelawun for lemov ' 

 ing rheumatic pains, &c. 



