Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 8.djvu/213

 KHONDS IN WAR DRESS. (456–7)

IKE all savage tribes the Khonds vie with each other in making themselves terrible for battle. "It is only," writes Colonel Campbell, "when they go out to battle, and tribe meets tribe in hostile array, that they adorn themselves with all their finery. They swathe their heads in thick folds of cotton cloth, with peacocks' feathers waving in defiance, cover their bodies with pieces of skins of bears or elks, and proud, indeed, is the warrior who can sport over all a couple of yards of red cloth. The Khond usually carries a long staff; but when armed lie wears a turban ornamented with a showy crest of feathers, and a strong cloth encircling his loins; lie carries a bow and arrows, and a battle-axe with the blade in two divisions. He marches to battle singing and brandishing his battle-axe, most commonly under the influence of strong potations. The matchlock and shield are the favourite weapons of the people inhabiting the southern district, but the curious and formidable battle-axe seems most relied on by the heroes of Boad and Goomsoor."

It will be seen by the Plates 456 and 457 how far Khonds are able to make themselves hideous for war. One has tied a buffalo's skull and horns to his head as a turban; the other ornaments the construction on his head with a plume of peacocks' feathers. Both have long bows, besides a sword and battle-axe. In both the wars with them, they fought well considering their weapons; but bows and arrows, except in ambushes, were of little effect before musketry. Khonds are usually an idle, sensual people, indiffrent cultivators, though they produce rice (which they grow under a well applied system of irrigation), oil seeds, turmeric, and ginger, coarse cereals and vegetables, in great profusion; but in the hunting season, March and April, when the dry grass is easily fired, they burn it, and follow bears, elk, deer, hog, and feathered game, with much ardour and success. It is, in fact, a saturnalia. The people give themselves up to feasting on flesh, intoxication, and the wildest licentiousness. When the rains fall, however, and cultivation begins, they subside into their usual condition. They reside in