Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 29, 1918.djvu/123

 THE HOUSE IN INDIA FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF SOCIOLOGY AND FOLKLORE.

BY W. CROOKE.

[Read before the Society, 20th March, 191 8.)

The questions connected \Yith the house and house-building are of special importance to the student of sociology and folklore. The building and occupation of the house mark one of the most momentous transitions in the social history of mankind — the abandonment of nomadic life ; the more definite association of the members of the tribe or clan by the foundation of a village, involving the more intimate union of the individual with those who are his blood kindred ; the beginnings of communal life, which, again, leads to common worship, to communion with the deity in sacrifice and feast. The construction and occupation of the house thus constitute a rite de passage, a break with long established tradition and with the customary amenities of life, the new environment exercising its influence on the inmates, and bringing with it new duties and responsi- bilities.

Hence it is inevitable that the new dwelling should be protected by a system of devices and taboos designed to avert the dangers which primitive man, surrounded by a host of spirits generally malignant, has constantly before his mind. To this arc added the fears inspired by the Evil Eye or by witchcraft. Dangers such as these naturally centre round the house and its tenants, and