Births arc celebrated on the seventh day by a feast given to the priests and villagers. The name is deter- mined by a peculiar rite, in \vhich grains of rice are dropped into a cup of water.
Death. — After the death of a private person his body is burned, without any ceremony other than a drinking feast. If, however, a chief die, " the heads of society" are assembled from every quarter by the beating of gongs and drums ; the body is placed on the funeral pile; a bag of grain is laid on the ground, a staff being plant- ed in it ; and all the personal effects of the deceased, his clothes, arms, and eating and drinking vessels, being first placed by the flag, are afterwards distributed, when the pile is fired, and the company dance round the flag- staff.
Social Organization and Government. — The family is the unit of organization and the government patriar- chal, all the members of the family living in subordina- tion to the head, the eldest son succeeding to his au- thority. All property belongs to the father, the married sons having separate houses assigned them, except the youngest, who ahvays remains with the father. This father, or patriarch, is called .1 hbaya.
A number of families constitute a village, which gen- erally numbers forty or fiftv houses, over whom there is a village abbaya or patriarch. A number of villages are organized into a district, superintended by a district abbaya, who, however, must be lineally descended from the head of the colony. A number of districts consti- tute a tribe, with a tribal abbaya, and a number of tribes constitute a federal group, with a federal abbaya or chief. This chieftainship is immemoriaUy hcreditarj'' in particular families, but is elective as to persons. The head, however, is only the first among equals, and his rule is without external jiomp, or castle, or fort. The chief receives no tribute, but he takes part in all impor- tant discussions, whether social or religious, and leads his people in war. His influence is very great. Orig- inally and theoretically, the abbaya is the priest. This is not so no^v in all cases, yet he is religiously venerated. The family and the religious principles are tbus com- bined. The theory of government, as above sketched, is not, however, often completely realized, there being every possible deviation from it, and the tribes being raucii intermingled. These tribes bear names resem- bling those adopted by the North American Indians, e. g. " Spotted Deer," " Bear," " Owl," etc.
Personal and Social Characteristics. — These people, like almost all known rude races, are " given to hospi'
KHONDS
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KHONDS
tality." For the safety of a guest life and honor are | pledged. He is " before a child." A murderer even may not be hurt in the house of his enemy ; it is doubt- ful if he may be even starved in it. The Khond phys- iognomy is clearly Turanian. The color varies from that of hght bamboo to a deep copper; the forehead is full, the cheek-bones high, the nose broad at the point, the lips fidl, but not thick, and the mouth large. The Khonds are of great bodily strength and symmetry, well informed on common subjects, of quick comprehension, and otherwise show considerable intellectual capability. Their mode of salutation is with the hand raised over the head. Their natural moral qualities are of mixed cliaracter. They are personally courageous and reso- lute. They have so great a love of ]iersonal liberty that it is affirmed they have been known to tear out their tongues by the roots that they, might perish rather than endure confinement. They are not very intensely at- tached to their tribal institutions, but have great devo- tion to the persons of their patriarchal chiefs. They have, however, a great spirit of revenge, and are given to seasons of periodical intoxication. They drink a liquor made of the Mow flower, this tree being found near every hut and in the jungles. They are a "na- tion of drunkards," and will drink any intoxicating bev- erage, the stronger the better.
Laws. — They have no code by which they are gov- erned, but follow custom and usage. The right of prop- erty is recognised. Murder is left to private revenge or retaliation. In case of matrimonial unfaithfulness, the seducer maj' be put to death if the husband choose, or he may accept the entire property of the criminal in lieu of his right to put him to death. Property stolen must be returned, or its equivalent given. There are seven judicial tests; common oaths are administered on the skin of a tiger or lizard. Ordeals of boiling water and oil are likewise resorted to.
Arts and Marmf act tars. — The Khonds manufacture axes, bows and arrows, a species of ]ilough, and other implements ; they distil liquor, extract oil, work in clay and metals, and dye their simple garments. Their houses are formed of strong boards, plastered inside.
A rms and Agricidture. — They use the sling, bow and arrows, and a broad battle-axe, and adorn themselves for battle as for a feast. They raise rice, oils, millet, pulse, fruits, tobacco, turmeric, mustard, etc. No money other than " cowries" (shells) was until recently known, all property being estimated in " lives," as of bullocks, buffaloes, goats, fowls, etc. Women share in the work of harvest and sowing.