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JANUARY 5, 1872.]
THE DARDS.
burrow) close by the river, ate up all that was consequence was that the Nagan as usual in the pot, and entering her hole sat there re- devoured her offspring except two which were solved to bite the woman if she should curse left half eaten, whence they were called her, but not otherwise. The woman returned Khándia and Bándiá. The Nagán after this to the spot, and finding the pot empty exclaimed gave the queen presents of gold toys, and many “ May the stomach of the eater be cooled !" other things to carry to her house, and said to Hearing these words the Nagus coming out of her," here is your father sitting, put your hand her hole said “Well done! I now regard you into his mouth": she was petrified with fear, as my daughter, and as you are pregnant at but at length thrust her left and half her right present, go and inform the members of your arm into his month, when both her arms family to perform the Shrimant (pregnancy) were covered with gold chudá (bangles). Now ceremonies, and tell them that the moho- Kándia and Bándid asked their mother to bite sálá* and pehramanit presents will be sent from her who called them by such names, but they your parents' house. The kankotari (the letter were refused. The queen then returned to her inviting the guests to the festive meeting) you father-in-law's house, where she was greatly should tie to this A'kadá tree near the ráfada." honoured because of her wealth. One day, Hearing these words she returned and spoke as however, her mother-in-law, seeing her send for she had been told, asking the members of the milk from the bazar for her baby, said tauntfamily to write kankotaris to her brothers that ingly—“ Why don't you get cows from your she might send them to them. At these words parent's house." Hearing this she went they were all surprised and began to laugh at to the A'kadlá-tree and began to cry. She her ; but at length they wrote a kankotari and was, heard by the Nagan who came out and gave it to her. This she took and tied to the asked her what was the matter with her A'kací tree. Next day the young of the Nágan that she wept. She related what has been assuming human form, came to the village attend- stated, and the Nágan said " go home and get ed with music. An escort from the king went a large yard made and it shall be filled with out to receive them; and they gave large pehrii- cows and buffaloes." This excited the envy of mani to their adopted sister, and to other mem- the snake brothers Khándia and Bandiá, and bers of her father-in-law's family; while their they resolved to lie in wait, the one in the sister had previously arranged to have two
paniera (where the water-vessels stand) and the earthen pots (kundan) filled with milk and placed other in the kitchen, that they might bite her in a room for them to drink. Next day they as she passed. Now it happened as she went to took their sister home with them to be confin- fill a kalshya with water that she struck her ed. When she reached the burrow the snake foot against the door step, when she exclaimed who was sitting outside took her in. At first she “ may my Khándia and Bándia be safe and was much afraid, but when she found that there sound ?—they who are brothers to her who were large drawing-rooms and halls inside, she has no brothers." She again repeated the was delighted. There she gave birth to her child same words in the kitchen. At this the and was well treated during the montb-and-half.
brothers were greatly pleased with her, and
brothers were creatly pleased with Afterwards the time for the Nágan to bear young next day they gave her many presents and arrived, and the lady was told to hold a lamp took their way home, and the queen passed beside her. This she did, but was rather frighten the rest of her life in happiness and enjoyed, so that her hand shook a little, and the ment.
J. B.
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE DARDS. [Being part of Dr. Leitner's forthcoming work-Part III. of " Dardistan."]
(a.)-AMUSEMENTS. The Chaughan Bazi, or Hockey-on-horseback to the Ghilgiti and Astori sub-divisions of the so popular everywhere north of Kashmir, and Shina people. On great general holydays as which is called Polo by the Baltis and Ladakis, well as on any special occasion of rejoicing, who both play it to perfection and in a manner the people meet on those grounds, which which I shall desribe elsewhere, is also well known are mostly near the larger villages, and pursue • Presenta from the wife's father for her child.
From the wife's father to her husband and his family.
