Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 4.djvu/20

 AN INHABITANT OF MOOSHEGAEEE. (176) OOSHEGAEEE comprises a collection of villages, situated at the southern extremity of the Johar pass, leading into Thibet, where the people profess a debased form of Hindooism, which is largely affected by the Buddhist form of religion. They do not aspire to be called Rajpoots, and appear to hold a middle rank between them and lower classes of Hindoos. From the strong Mongolian cast of their features, the clan is probably a mixed one—Bhotea on the one hand, and Hindoo on the other. As it may be supposed, the people are extremely ignorant and superstitious, and depend upon the lower orders of impure Brahmins for the performance of religious ceremonies, of which they comprehend very little, but resort to them for the naming of their children, and in marriages, &c. On the northern frontiers of the hills, the class they belong to is more affected by Buddhism, while those who inhabit the lower and central portions lean more to Hindooism. The dress of the person represented is entirely of white woollen material, and consists of a tunic and trowsers, with a woollen scarf tucked into his waist band, and cast over his shoulders. In severe weather this scarf is crossed over his chest, like a Scotch shepherd's plaid. The ends of the scarf are twisted into fringe, above which is a border, occasionally of bright colours, which has a good effect. Many of these people are afflicted with goitre to a frightful extent, and they are not cleanly by any means. They are for the most part agriculturists, and some of their mountain lands are well cultivated. They do not practice polyandry, but many in their own tribe according to Hindoo customs.