Indian Antiquary Vol 02

SR No.: 032494
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 428
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

Page 371

NOVEMBER, 1873.]
MISCELLANEA.
337
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 the death of his wife. 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 funerals. 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 uuder 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 worshipunloss 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 itself. Of these they live in perpetual dread!
Hence, to induce these demons to depart from their country, the Gåros 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 entiro Village, as circumstances seem to indicate. They sacrifice fowls, pigs, goats, bullocks, and young dogs. The latter, because of superior sagacity, are supposed to be most acceptable to the demons. As no time, place, or individual is exempt from trouble and sorrow, so the Garos, in their fear, are most incessant in shedding of blood. The wealthy become poor, and the poor remain thus, by these fruitless and endless attempts to drive away these imaginary demons.
They say there is no hereafter-that when a man dier, that is the end of him. Still every Giro confesses himself to be a sinner and to be worthy of punishment. They firmly believe that notoriously bad persons will live again, and perhaps for ages, in the bodies of tigers, snakes, or other vilo forms, as a punishment for evil deeds in the present life.
Ignorance and superstition go hand in hand. Two Christian Garos were on a preaching tour. Soon after they had spent a night in certain
village the headman was very ill for several days. In due time these inen returned that way and called for lodgings as before. It was late. The next village was at a distance and the road dangerous. But they were driven from the place. The demons, said they, are not pleased with Christians, or those who give them shelter, therefore "no person of this new faith can ever lodge in our village again!"
Some Garo Christians cut a few bamboos sup. posed to be the dwelling-place of demong. About this time there was a great drought. Crops were suffering. The heathen Gâros 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 Bent 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 descend 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 froin 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 Garos do not object to the education of their girls and women. Several married women, wives of preachers and teachers, have learned to read. Garo 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.
PERSIAN STANZAS ON ATTRACTION AND
REPULSION. Selected and Translated by E. Rehatsek, Esq., M.C.E.
VI.-From Shyryn Ferhad.
ذره رقاص مینیست بابو یکی کشان ہر ذره را تا مقصد خاص
بکشن تا
را کلشني رساند
را تا بکلن کلخني دوانه
بعالي
تا اگر پري ز اسفل
خالي
میل ذره زین بيني نير
خاک تا بیاد از آب تا ز آتش
افلاک تا بالاي
خاک از زیر مین میلست اگر داني دین میل جنبیت در جنبیت خیل در خیل