Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 5 1887.djvu/284

276 they leap, they hop, they wave arms, legs, umbrellas, and daos about in the wildest confusion, accompanying their movements with the most savage war-whoops — signifying nothing. As soon as their ample potations begin to take effect, the war- whoop is varied by curious grunting and groaning noises, which rise and fall in a rhythmical but very doleful cadence. The men are often dressed in very comical style ; they exhibit very much less idea of the external fitness of things than the other sex. Soldiers' old coats, ancient blue frock-coats, with brass buttons — recalling the immortal Mr. Pickwick, — even ladies' out-door jackets are gloried in by their fortunate possessors. It may be imagined that these form a very strange contrast to the waving plumes belonging to their ancestral type of head-dress, and to the costly coral and gold necklaces adorning their masculine throats. They also wave huge feather chowries (fans) in their hands; and, although some of the older men brandish daos round their heads, the younger generation may be frequently seen contenting themselves with the more peaceable blue cotton umbrella, of Manchester manufacture, which they deem a more highly fashionable weapon of offence and defence.

An old gentleman of high degree often figured as a prominent character at these assemblies : he used to gyrate and gesticulate in a manner which showed that he considered himself supremely superior to the rest in that in his case the national plumes had been replaced by an old tea-cosy, which adorned his head — one may term this the crowning result of civilised and domestic legislation !

It is said that many matrimonial alliances result from this one annual dance. The London chaperon, groaning under the burden of many balls, and few results, will probably be inclined to envy the duennas of the Khassia hills ! It is a very usual custom in those hills for the men to dance when one of their tribe is buried, but the women never do so."