Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 28, 1917.djvu/157

Rh (2) Kottofu Shinu-Rittanu (hunting group). The chief of this group is also called Moruho; in some cases, in order to distinguish him, he is styled Moruho-nu-Shinu-Rittanu. The chief is usually the most respected man in the group; he controls the members of the group, and takes command in hunting, head-hunting and war. It is also his duty to protect the people under his control, and he often acts as a go-between in arranging marriage, and as a mediator in disputes. If one of his subjects is refractory he chastises him after consulting the elders, whom he associates with himself in all matters of importance.

Before a tribal hunt the spirits of ancestors are invoked to provide good sport, and omens are taken from birds. In case a deer is caught, the skin and horns are the share of the owner of the dog which chased the animal. The man who shot the game receives the hoofs and those organs which are highly valued by the Chinese as medicine. The head is given to the chief or to a visitor from another group. The meat is divided, the hunters receiving the ribs and offal.

(3) Kottofu Minekku-kanu (purification group). Very often a hunting group forms a purification group; while in other cases two or more small hunting groups are organized into a purification group.

The Taiyals consider marriage, divorce and child-birth as causes of uncleanness that require purification; for which purpose the parties concerned must pay compensation to the group. The same is the case with illicit intercourse, theft, murder and violation of village customs. Usually a pig is purchased out of the amount paid, and, by slaughtering it, its blood acts as a purification, its meat being distributed to each family in the group. If the offender refuses to pay the fine, it can be levied by force. In case a member of the group receives an injury from people of another group, the group can demand compensation from the offender; a portion goes to the sufferer,