Page:Madras Journal of Literature and Science, series 1, volume 6 (1837).djvu/53

1837.] This account differs in some particulars from other accounts which have been published. There may, however, be different modes followed: this account may be considered to be authentic.

The remaining documents to be adduced are two forms of oaths. The one alluded to by Mr. Stevenson is the following:—

1. A blood-sucker,

2. A bit of tiger's sking,

3. Peacock's feather,

4. Earth from the white-ants' hill,

5. Rice mixed with fowl's blood,

6. A lighted lamp.

The substance of the circumstance is first repeated by the swearing party, and a basket containing the following things being held before him, he proceeds with his oath, touching each object in the basket at that part of the oath which refers to that object:— the blood-sucker, the tiger-skin, &c.

"Oh father (god!) I swear, and if I swear falsely then, oh father! may I become shrivelled and dry like a blood-sucker, and thus die; may I be killed and eaten by a tiger resembling this blood-sucker, may I crumble to dust like this white-ants' hill, may I be blown about like this feather, may I be extinguished like this lamp."

In saying the last words he puts a few grains of the rice in his mouth, and blows out the lamp, and the basket with its contents is made to touch the top of his head.

Yeree ubba, hahumoo, hurrudda, attamo, mi, dosha, shiddee

Oh Father I Oath take by me fault if is

yera, neekee surruda suttumo Yeree ubba.

on that account to me and mine oh Father.

Ghoe, diogee, Bassee, Bassee, Sunnummoo.

blood-sucker like, dry and shrivelled, may I die.

Ghoyee, dingee, Khradee hanee nangee yesta challa tinee

A blood-sucker like, a tiger may come me having killed eat

Beera, dingee Mhaihe hanai. Mendoo, kuttaka

white-ant hill-like crumble away may I come. Peacock, feather

hanai yengaesahe yenjoo dippo dingee yengee

may I be blown away this lamp like this manner

nimee mammo.

may I be, extinguished.