337

MISCELLANEA.

NoveMBER, 1873.]

saved as a memento. They sometimes mourn long for the departed, especially for the wife. I know the headman of a village who mourned three years

village the headman was very ill for several days. In due time these men returned that way and

the death of his wife.

next village was at a distance and the road dan

He could not work.

He

feasted his friends and neighbours for consolation. Thus he continued till his property was expended. Nearly all the village turn out and assist at fune

rals. The young men cut and bring wood for the pile. This is built near the house, and the dead placed upon it at sundown. The elder men and women collect the native-made rum from the vil

lage, and make more if necessary. Early in the afternoon all begin to drink. The bereaved are brought under the influence of liquor as soon as possible, to drown their sorrows. At dusk the fire is kindled.

Now men, women, and children

drink until all are drunken

They have no knowledge of the Maker of all things—not even a name for God. They have no temples, or images, or forms of religious worship— unless sacrificing to demons be regarded in this light. They say they worship nothing, -that there is no future after death, that they desire

simply to be let alone. The demons are evil and disturbing spirits. They believe in these—believe them to be numberless, to live under trees, rocks, and to fill the mountains,—to be the cause of

famine and pestilence, all diseases of mind and body—in short, the cause of whatever disturbs the

happiness of man, and of death they live in perpetual dread!

itself.

Of these

Hence, to induce these demons to depart from

their country, the Gáros sacrifice under every green tree, near rocks, at the base of hills, and in every street leading to their villages. This is done by individuals, families, or the entire village,

called for lodgings as before. gerous.

It was late. The

But they were driven from the place.

The demons, said they, are not pleased with Chris tians, or those who give them shelter, therefore “no person of this new faith can ever lodge in our village again " Some Gäro Christians cut a few bamboos sup posed to be the dwelling-place of demons. About this time there was a great drought. Crops were suffering. The heathen Gåros divined that the demons had been offended, and armed themselves

with knives and spears to cut up the Christians who had given the offence. Meantime Providence sent rain, and the bloody raid was abandoned. A people thus ignorant and superstitious are liable to move suddenly and to great extremes. Filled with fear and dread uncertainty, they de scend upon the nearest village and cut off a dozen heads of inoffensive men, women, and children.

They hastily drive Christians from their village, or as quickly turn from demon-sacrificing to the worship of the Christians' God. In customs, language, and religion (if they have any) this people are quite different from those of the plains. They are entirely free from caste influences.

The Gáros do not object to the education of their girls and women. Several married women. wives of preachers and teachers, have learned to read. Gáro women are held in respect, and have a voice in all domestic matters, and they are not ignored even in the village counsels. There is hope for such a people.

as circumstances seem to indicate. They sacrifice

fowls, pigs, goats, bullocks, and young dogs. The

PERSIAN STANZAS ON ATTRACTION AND

latter, because of superior sagacity, are supposed

REPULSION.

to be most acceptable to the demons. As no time, place, or individual is exempt from trouble and

Selected and Translated by E. Rehatsek, Esq., M.C.E. VI.-From Shyryn Ferhád.

sorrow, so the Gáros, in their fear, are most inces

sant in shedding of blood. The wealthy become poor, and the poor remain thus, by these fruitless and endless attempts to drive away these imagi nary demons.

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