1837.] 



Khoonds of the Goomsoor Mountains, 



43 



vailed in the South-sea islands ; and I cannot think that the many resem- 

 blances are perfectly accidental. 



Of the Merria or human sacrifices, the following has been forwarded 

 by Mr. Stevenson, alluded to in the extract from his letter : — 



Memorandum regarding Human Sacrifices among the Khoonds.-" 

 The sacrifice is offered to Thadha deveta (the earth), under the 

 effigy of a bird. It is offered annually to propitiate the deity to grant 

 favourable crops and seasons. The ceremony is performed at the ex- 

 pense, in rotation, of certain Mootas composing a circle, and connected 

 together from local circumstances. It is impossible to ascertain the 

 number of places in which the annual sacrifices take place, but they 

 are very numerous. Besides the annual sacrifice, human victims are 

 offered up by Mootas, or by individuals, to avert any threatening calami- 

 ty arising from sickness, murrain, or other causes. The victims may 

 be of any caste, or sex, or age ; (I have not however heard of an instance 

 of Khonds being sacrificed) t but grown males are the most esteemed, 

 because the most costly. Children are purchased, and reared for years 

 with the family of the person who ultimately devotes them to sacrifices 

 when circumstances demand a victim from him. They appear to be 

 treated with every kindness, and, if too young to be conscious of their 

 fate, are under no constraint — otherwise they are kept in fetters and 

 guarded. There appears to be no difficulty in procuring victims j most 

 of those that have been rescued were sold by their parents or nearest 

 relatives, and this appears a very common practice. Persons of riper 

 age are kidnapped, and there are individuals who follow a trade in 

 human flesh, and supply victims by kidnapping or forcibly seizing 

 children. The Khonds never sacrifice a criminal, or a prisoner captur- 

 ed in war. It must always be purchased — the price paid is from 60 to 

 200 Rupees, and the price is paid either in brass vessels, cattle, or coin, 

 or partly in each. 



The Janee or priest (who may be of any caste) officiates at the 

 sacrifice, but he performs the pooja offering of incense, flowers, &c. to 

 the idol, through the medium of the Toomba, who must be a Khond 

 child under seven years of age. This child is fed and clothed at the public 

 expense, and eats with no other person, and is not subjected to any act 

 deemed impure. 



For a month prior to the day of sacrifice, there is much feasting, in- 

 toxication and dancing round the victim, who is adorned with garlands, 

 &c. and, the day prior to the sacrifice, is intoxicated with toddy, and 

 made to sit, (if necessary tied with seven ropes) at the bottom of a post 

 which has previously been planted with some ceremonies, and on the 



