Indian Antiquary Vol 52

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Stephen Meredyth Edwardes, Krishnaswami Aiyangar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 560

198
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[ SEPTEMBER, 1923
APPENDIX XIII-contd.
pieces of rib, small vertebrae and even loose teeth, obtained from a human skull or jaw-bone, are similarly utilized. These are worn-generally adorned with dentalium octogonum shells and smeared with kòlob- (item 60) either as charms against pain or sickness, or in memoriam of a deceased husband, wife, or other near relative. In the former case any mysterious internal pains being ascribed to the malign influence of evil spirits, these charms are regarded as indispensable, and one or two are tied round the limb or body over the seat of pain, while another chauga-tâ-is worn as a chaplet Other remedies in cases of sickness are scarifi. cation (item 50), certain leaves and saps credited with curative properties (items 78-b, and c). black wax (tobul-pij-, iteni 57) and olive coloured clay (chûlnga-, item 63). See Journ. R. A. Inst., Vol. XII, pp. 84-8.
45. chàuga-l'ot-chêta-. (Pl. E and Pl. x, fig. 3.) Human skull, generally adorned with rab. (item 42) and shell tubes of dentalium. This is worn by a loop round the neck, as shewn in Pl. x, as a memento of a near relative for some months after the exhumation and cleansing of the bones of the deceased. Unlike the chauga-ta-, this practice is observed merely as a token of love or esteem and not in the belief that any hygienic benefit is conferred on the wearer. The opinion expressed by an early writer that they resemble certain Australian tribes in making use of these skulls as drinking vessels or for holding small objects has long been found to be erroneous.
45. chàuga-l'akà-skib-, (Pl. E.) Human jaw-bone. This is decorated and worn in the same manner and with the same object as the last item. Sometimes the mourner will carry both these objects simultaneously. In process of time both are passed on to other relatives for the same purpose.
47. pilicha.. (Pl. D.) Boar's tusk, used by the bojig-ngiji. and yêrewa- men for planing bows, paddles, etc.: as in their hands it answers this purpose satisfactorily it is much valued ; when required for use the inner edge is sharpened with a cyrena shell (see item 51).
48. taill-bana. (Pl. D.) Stone hammer, generally a smooth round piece of dolerite or fine grained basalt, which men now use chiefly in beating out iron for arrow-heads, etc. and the women when making bone-necklaces.
48-a. rarap.. Anvil: a heavy, flat, suitably shaped stone is selected for the purpose. 49. chidi. (Pl. C.) Pinna shell, used as a plate for food or as a palette for pigments (see items 58-61). It is said that before iron was procurable or its uses appreciated these shells were utilized in the manufacture of adze-blades and possibly also arrow-heads.
50. tölma-l'öko-tag- and bijma-l'öko-tag-. (Pl. D.) Quartz and glass chips and flakes respectively: they are used, by women only, for the purposes of shaving and scarifying, and by both sexes for tattooing. These flakes and chips are rarely used more than once: those having a sharp blade-like edge are reserved for shaving, while those with a fine point are used for tattooing and scarifying; when they have served their purpose they are thrown on a refuse-heap (kitchen midden), or otherwise disposed of, lest injury should befall any person by inadvertently treading on one. The art of flaking is regarded as one of the duties of women: two pieces of white quartz are required for the production of chips and flakes, one of which is first heated and afterwards allowed to cool; it is then held firmly in one hand and struck at right angles with the other piece: in the case of glass being used the thick bottom of a bottle is similarly treated; by this means in a few minutes a number of fragments are obtained suitable for the purposes above mentioned. A certain knack is necessary in order to produce the kind of flake or chip which may at the time be required. The tattooer operates only on members of his (or her) own sex, and usually first selects the abdomen for the purpose.