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DECEMBER, 1907.)
A REPORT ON THE PANJAB HILL TRIBES.
371
(6) Mians (Raja's younger sons). - Brâhmans say to a Mian asirbdd or sri bachan ; others Bay jai, juidea, or dhal. They reply pálag or mattha ték ná to a Brahman; Ram Ram, jai, jaidea or dhal to the Rajpûts ; Ram Ram to others, and " be happy" to low persons.
(7) Banias. - They say bandagi and Ram Ram to merchants. Brahmans say asírbád or sri bachan to them. Low persons say to them dhal or pairi pônd.
(8) Négis, Mehtas, Wazirs, Mukhiâs, etc., eay bandagi or salám or Ram Ram. (9) If a man belongs to any other tribe, then he is saluted with the words fixed for his tribe.
265. The methods of greeting among the members of a family, friends, relations, and strangers are given below:
(1) Members of a family. - The younger places his head on the feet of the elder, and then says jaidea, dhál, bandags, or Ram Ram, according to the fixed custom, with both the hands brought together. The elder places bis hand on the back of the younger, accepts the salutation asks after his health, and places him near himself with a great show of love.
(2) Friends. - Friends shake hands. The younger in age or rank says bandagi, jaidéd, dhal or Rám Rám, after which the elder takes hold of the hand of the younger, accepts the salutation, asks after his health, and gives him a seat near himself. . (3) Relations. - The younger honours the elder, and puts his head on the feet of the latter. If the relation be that of an equal position, or if the introduction be effected through a near relative, then after pairt bandnd they embrace each other, or say dhdi bandagi, jai, jaid84, eto., to each other. The younger leaves his seat and offers it to the elder, and himself sits lower on the floor.
(4) Strangers. - Men prepare good food for their guests according to their capacity. If a guest comes to the house of a Chief, Râjâ, or Nawab, then in addition to the feast he gets presents, and even money, in proportion to the rank of the guest and host. Chiefs generally give presents to their neighbours and relations.
286. There are no special rules for salatation, greeting or address. 267. There is no particular rule about treatment of guests, women, old men, and invalids. 208. Relations and neighbours entertain one another mutually.
269. No special language is used. The guests are politely spoken to. The host, of whatever rank or capacity, will treat the guest respectfnlly. If the guest be one belonging to the family of the host's wife, then he is ridiculed. Brothers-in-law call each other names and mimio one another. Their servants also will behave in the same way.
270. The brothers-in-law or men of their respective families make jokes with each other, and also abuse each other through mother, or daughter, or sister. They call one another a thief, a rogue, a cobbler, a shoemaker, sweeper, etc. But no one may assail the religion of another.
LXXIX. - Social Intercourse. 271. Customs of social intercoarse among Kanaits, goldsmiths, barber, potters, Jåte, gardeners, and masons:
(a) The Brâhmans can eat flour, rice or fried grain from the hands of the above-named clans. They have no scruple to use púri, kachori, and everything fried in oil or ghi that has been touched by the latter.
(6) The high castes do not use the food cooked only in water (not fried in oil, etc.) by these sects, but low castes do not observe such restrictions.
(c) Water touched by them is drunk by everybody. (d) The people do not smoke the same pipe with them,
The high castes do not eat food touched by low castes, such as Kolis, shepherds, cobblers, etc., nor do the former drink water touched by the latter, nor do they smoke the same pipe with them. The low castos can eat food prepared by anybody. But every tribe, even among themselves, have some restrictions concerning diet.
