Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 5 1887.djvu/281



By Mrs. J. C. Murray-Aynsley.

(Continued from p. 254)

CHAPTER II.

HIS dance may be regarded as typical of a very early stage of society; it recalls the time when the warriors of a tribe were compelled to place their women in their midst, and form a protecting circle round them; or it may be held to represent the capture of the women of another tribe, the consequent exulting dance, and the shouts of victory of the men.

The following account has been furnished by the widow of a late high official in that province, who has frequently witnessed this dance. Being requested by the writer to give a detailed description of it, she says:—

"An interesting form of an aboriginal dance still takes place annually in certain villages in the Khassia and Jaintia hills. The most important one is held in the village of Non-Crem, about five miles from the civil station of Shillong. It generally takes place in May; but the precise date is fixed by the Seam or Raja of Non-Crem, and is often contingent on the state of his exchequer, as considerable sums have to be expended by him on soothsayers, on musicians, and on spirituous liquors, which seem to be freely provided for all comers.