General topography, 141, 142, 144
Pulo Kunyi, 142, 143, 145, 146
Harbour, 142
Anchorage, 142
Inhabitants, 142, 143
Decline of population, 149
Charm, 143
Casuarina Bay, 144, 149, 151
Mudfish, 149
Dagmar River, 149, 153
Kopenheat, 150
Anchorage, 153
Pulo Nyur, 150
Anchorage, 150
Decline of population, 150
Water, 151
Morass, 151
Birds, 143, 144, 151
Fauna, 144, 150
Young monkeys, 153
Shom Pe[.n], 143, 145-148, 150, 152
Appearance, 145-147
Elephantiasis, 145, 152
Effect of betel-chewing, 147
Dress and ornaments, 145
Camp, 149, 151
Village, 144, 145
Shom Pe[.n], Huts, 145
Food supply, 148
Dog-hobble, 144
Spears, 146
Cloth, 145, 146
Cooking-vessel, 148
Mode of cooking pandanus, 149
Great Nicobar (West and South Coasts)
General topography, 156, 158, 160
Native topographical names compared with chart and trade names, 155
Growth of land, 157
Anchorage, 156
Pulo Babi, 156, 157
Harbour, 156
Water, 156
Chang-ngeh, 161
South Bay, 160
Galathea River, 161-164
Fauna, 162
Birds, 157, 160, 161
Monkeys, 166
Population, 157
Inhabitants, 157, 155-158
Domeat, 154
Servitude, 157
Shom Pe[.n], 155, 159
Village, 158, 159
Huts, 158, 162
Dress, 159
Marriage, 158
Ringworm, 159
Canoe building, 160
Mode of climbing trees, 157
Barter, 160
Supplies, 165
Water, 165
Guides, native, N., 57, 58
Gunboat tours, 28
_Ha-chu_, K.N., 298
Hamilton's, Captain Alexander, account of the Andamans, 179, 180
References to the Nicobars, 102, 105, 121, 212, 215
_Hanata_, K.N., 301
Harbours, A., 171. And _see_ under names of islands
Headmen, N., 241; S.P., 219
Regard for, K.N., 316
Height, average, A., 342
Heifer, Murder of Dr, 181
_Henghawa_, K.N., 290
_Henta_, cf. _De[=u]shi_, N., 77, 85
_Henta-koi_, N., 77
Herons, N., 69
History, A., 176-184. For details, _see_ under "Andaman Islands"
History, N., 177-179, 208-214. For details, _see_ under "Nicobar
Islands"
Hog-deer, A., 28
Homes for Andamanese at Haddo, 23-25
Homfray Strait, A., 169
Hostility of Andamanese, 190-192
Shom Pe[.n], 215, 220
Hot spring on Barren Island, 11
House, custom of feeding the, N., 85
"House of pollution," K.N., 51, 304
Houses. _See_ under names of islands
Maternity, K.N., 51
Hume, A. O., cruise round the Andamans and Nicobars, 326
Huts. _See_ under names of islands
Implements and Weapons, A., 184, 189; N., 243-245
Industries, A., 171, 172, 198-200, 339-341
Port Blair, 22, 198-200, 340, 341; N., 251, 252
Infant mortality, A., 192
Inhabitants. _See_ under names of islands
Interment of a headman of Sawi, account of, 305, 306
Interment of a man of repute of Lapati, account of, 306, 307
_Inturga_, K.N., 299
Invisible Bank, 170
Isle of Man, N., 72
Jail, Cellular, A., 21
Viper, a visit to, 26
Inhabitants of, 25-27
Employments in, 26-27
Punishment at, 27. _See_ the Andamanese Penal System
_Jheel_, N., 69, 74
Jubilee River, N., 138
Jakuns of Johore, the, 217
Jarawas, the, A., 190-192, 342
An encounter with, 191
Kachal
General topography, 109, 110, 114, 117
Evidence of growth of land, 110
Geology, 117
Area, 117
Population, 117
West Bay, 109, 110, 113
Anchorage, 109
The reef, 113
Lagoon, 110
Water, 117
Birds, 110, 111, 113
Waterbirds, 110
Monkeys, 114
Megapodes, 113
Fish, 116
Native fishing, 116
Ol-kolo-kwak, 110, 112, 113
_Kanaia_, 113
Houses, 112
Natives, 109, 111, 115
Dress and ornaments, 109, 115
Yassan, 111, 116
_De[=u]shi_, 116
Charms, 116
Supplies, 117
Medicine, 115
A death ceremony, 116
Burial customs, 113
Kamorta
General topography, 72, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101
Population, 102
Peculiarity of flora, 101
Traces of the old convict settlement on, 95
The cemetery, 95
Murder of De Roeepstorff (1883), 96
Mount Edgecombe, 98
Expedition Harbour, 98
Reputed headquarters of piratical savages, 98
Dring Harbour, 98
Olta-moeit, village of, 98
Natives, 99, 100
Dress, 100
Tattooing, a case of, 100
Birds, 97, 99, 100
Teal, 97
Buffalo, 99
Bats, 99
Chital, 100
Sambhar, 100
Supplies, 101
Hamilton's description of the Central group, 102
_Kana awn_, K.N., 285-292
_Kanaia_, N., 79, 113
_Kantera_, K.N., 302
_Kareau_, N., 85, 86
_Kare-yeng-chon_, K.N., 287
_Kallu_, 224
Kar Nicobar
General topography, 45, 46, 61, 64, 65
Koenig's account of Kar Nicobar (1778), 276, 277, 279
Geology, 46, 64
Earthquakes felt at, 205
Tide-race, 45
Landing, 46, 60, 61
Sawi Bay, 46
Swell in, 55
Landing at, 55
Population, 65
Flora, 53, 61, 62, 64
Fruit, 49, 64
Coconuts, 62
Water, 65
Timber, 53, 54
Fauna
Birds, 53, 62
Mammals, 62
Fishing, 55
Crabs, 55, 62
Supplies, 65
Government agency clearing, 47, 54
"Temple Villa," 47
Mission school, 59
Missionary endeavour, 57, 63
V. Solomon, 46, 63
Pupils, 57, 59
M[=u]s village, 47, 49, 50, 51
Population, 47
Buildings, 50, 51
_Elpanam_, 50, 240
Maternity houses, 51
_Talik n'gi_, 51
"House of pollution," 51, 304
Houses, 46-49
Plantations, 49, 64
_Kofente_, 292
_Mal_, 302, 303
"Devil-expelling" leaves, 303
_Passa_, 303
Kar Nicobarese, the, 46, 49, 51, 54, 57-59, 60, 61, 65
Measurements of some, 355
Offandi, 49, 50, 54, 311, 312
"Friend of England," 52, 55-57, 311, 312
"Little John," 58, 225
Frank Thompson, 57
Kar Nicobar boys, 59, 60
V. Solomon's pupils, 57, 59
Educated natives, 57, 59
Native guides, 57, 58
A travelled Nicobarese, 54
Life of Kar Nicobarese, 65
Names, 305
Nicknames, 59
Dress, 49, 52, 61
_Ta-choekla_, 49
Betel-chewing, 49
Domestic pigeons, 47
Pigs, 50
Utensils, etc., 48
Fuel, 48
Baskets, 48
Canoes, 53, 54, 60
Outrigger, 54
Paddles, 54
Oilpress, 52
Mode of extracting coconut oil, 52
Bench seats, 52
Commercial occupations, 318, 319
Barter, 56, 60
Cost of transporting goods, 318
Staples of wealth, 50
Mode of comparing past and present wealth, 292
Effect of N.E. monsoon, 299
Canoe mishaps, 308, 317
Crossbow accidents, 317
A Kar Nicobarese tradition, 215
Gardens, 307
Origin of, 307
Destruction of, 307
Quarrels, instances of, 310-312
Mode of revenging, 310
Amok, instances of, 312
Causes of, 312
Wizard murders, 314
Instances of, 314, 315
Instances of murder as punishment, 315
Instance of suicide, 316
Dislike to strangers, 317
Land sale and tenure, 317
Instance of, 317
_Takoia_, 241
Tallies
Tally of commercial transactions, 319
Of the months, 319
Of a child's age, 319
Social and other distinctions
Social status, 61
The _Mafai_, 300-302
The _Sanokuv_, 300
The _Tamiluana_, 302, 316
The _Takkuwi_, 292
_Yom Ap_, 302
_Yom Elpanam_, 302
Headmen, 316
Wizardry, 314
Mode of obtaining reputation for, 314
Ceremonies and observances
_Kana Awn_ (feast of exhumation,), 285-292
_Na-Kopah_ (feast for the dead), 286, 287
_Kare-yeng-chon_ (headstones of graves), 287
_Vani pati_ (house decoration), 288
_Kiriam Hepat_ (dancing in bright light), 288, 289
_Henghawa_ (in return), 290
_Yeng Awn_ (the great boar), 291
_Wanaka Kuv_ (making lard), 291
_Kisu-ta-el-pati_, 291
_Tanang alah_ (prevention), 291
_Anula Kopah_ (digging the graves), 292
_Kiriam Anula_ (digging dance), 292
_Kiriam-nga-rit-roi-ta-oka_ (dance for clearing up coconut
rubbish), 292
_Mafai tapira_ (grand _Mafai_ dance), 292
_Anula Kopah_, account of this ceremony as carried out at
Lapati, 293
_Katap-hang_ (lighting the _Elpanam_), 294, 295
_Kiala_ (fetching food), 295
_Anoi-ila_ (a holiday), 295
_Enwan-n'gi_ (fishing again for the children), 295
_Ma-ya-kuv-ka-ma-ka_ (papa is going this way to fetch fish), 295
_Ramal_, 296
_Gnunota_, 296
_Ma-la-hal_, 297
_Kewi-apa_, 297, 298
_Mu-nung-ren_ (day of preparation), 297
_Kial_ (taking food), 297
_Ha-chu_, 298
_Maya_ (top decoration), 298, 299
_Yintovna Siya_ (expelling the devil by sails), 298, 299
_Amhai_, 299
_Inturga_, 299
_Tanangla_ (support), 299, 300
_Ke luinj alaa_, 300
_Mafai_, creation of, 301
_Hanata_ (adorning the invalid), 301
_Mafai_ performances, 302
_Ai-yu-a-kare_ (going to a feast adorned with jewels), 302
_Luinj-lare Mafai_ (undressing the _Mafai_), 302
_Amutna Kuv_ (revealing to the invalid), 302, 303
Burial ceremonies, 303-305
Account of interment of headman of Sawi, 305, 306
_Fota Elmot_ (wiping away tears), 306
Account of interment of a man of repute at Lapati, 306, 307
Mourning, 305
Converse with the dead, 296
Instance of ceremonies accompanying canoe buying, 309
Sequel to the loss of a M[=u]s canoe, 296
Reception of M[=u]s racing-canoe after a death in the village, 299
Canoe offerings, 295, 296
Celebration of loss of teeth, 300
Custom during eclipses, 307
Belief concerning, 307
Disinterment customs, 51
"Devil expelling," 64
_Tamiluana_ ceremonies to subdue floods, 51
Feasts, 50
Dances, 289, 309
Ceremonial accessories
_Kantera_, 302
_Kusuku_, 297, 298
_Merahta_, 287
"Devil-expelling" leaves, 303
_Katap-hang_, K.N., 294, 295
_Ke luinj alaa_, K.N., 300
_Kewi-apa_, K.N., 297, 298
_Kial_, K.N., 297
_Kiala_, K.N., 295
Kingfisher (_P. leucocephala_), N., 126;
(_Ceyx tridactyla_), N., 135;
(_Halcyon saturatior_), A., 35
Kingfisher's eyes a specific for sleeplessness, 76
_Kiriam anula_, K.N., 292
_Kiriam Hepat_, K.N., 288, 289
_Kiriam-nga-rit-roi-ta-oka_, K.N., 292
_Kisu-ta-el-pati_, K.N., 291
Koenig, Dr I. J., 213, 276; account of Kar Nicobar (1778), 276-284
_Kofente_, K.N., 292
Kondul
General topography, 131, 132
Anchorage, 131
Tide-rip, 131
Population, 131
Village, 132
Houses, 132
Plantation, 132
Charms, 132
Natives, 132
Boys, 139
Supplies, 132, 139
Kopenheat, N., 150
Anchorage at, 153
_Kusuhu_, K.N., 297, 298
Kwang-tung Strait, A., 15, 16
Lagoon, N., 110
Lamp, N., 81
Land, growth of, N., 110, 157
Sale and tenure, K.N., 317
Subsidence, N., 136, 137; A., 176
Landing-places. _See_ under names of islands
Language, A., 186; N., 121, 228, 229; S.P., 220
Comparison of some Shom Pe[.n] and Nicobarese words, 155
Lava, Barren Island, 12
Legend concerning formation of Bompoka, native, 105
Illustrative of unpleasant qualities of pandanus, 112
Legends of origin, native, N., 229
Life, average duration of, A., 187
Linguists, Nicobarese, 55, 58, 75, 112
Little Andaman
General topography, 38, 45, 169, 170
Effect of S.W. monsoon, 45
Geology, 176
Bumila Creek, 38
Natives, 37-40, 42
Appearance, 39
Dress and ornaments, 39
Natives, body decoration, 39
_Coiffure_, 40
Tools, 41
Bows and arrows, 42
Huts, 40, 41
Canoe, 41
Diseases, 40
Pig, 43
"Little John," N., 58, 225
Little Nicobar
General topography, 118, 120, 121, 125, 126, 127, 131
Geology, 120
Population (including Milo), 120
Area, 120
Harbour, 119, 125
Anchorage, 119
Site for a settlement, 121, 125
Water, 126
Flora, 120, 125
Peculiarity of coco palms, 128
Banian trees, 122
Course of a river, 125, 126
Mount Deoban, 120
Empress Peak, 120
A deserted village, 121
Caves, 126, 127
Bats, 126, 127
Swifts, 126, 127
Nests, 126, 127
Monkeys, 122, 128, 129
Crabs, 129
Tupais, 122
Megapodes, 121
Pig, 122
Butterflies, 126
Birds, 119, 121, 122, 127, 128, 130
Water birds, 126
Natives, 119
Hamilton's account of the natives of the Southern Group, 121
Mortality, 119, 123
Reputed causes, 123
Dress, 119
Dialect, 121
Belief in evil spirits, 123
Charms and "scare-devils," 124
Burial custom, 124
Decay of ceremonial, 124
Lizards (_Gonyocephalus humeii_), N., 67, 68
_Luinj-lare Mafai_, K.N., 302
Luxuries, native, N., 227
Macpherson Strait, A., 29
_Mafai_, the, K.N., 300-302
Creation of, 301
Performances, 302
_Mafai tapira_, 292
_Mafai, Luinj-lare_, 302
Maharani Peak, N., 67
"Making Christmas," N., 80
_Mal_, K.N., 302, 303
Malacca, N., 78
_Ma-la-hal_, K.N., 297
Malaria, N., 112, 205, 254, 255
Mammals, A.N., 322-325. And _see_ under names of islands
Man, Mr E. H., 75
Isle of, 72
Mangrove creeks, N., 80
Manufactures, A., 189; S.P., 219
Marriage, N., 158, 235-237
Maternity houses, K.N., 51
_Maya_, K.N., 298-299
_Ma-ya-kuv-ka-ma-ka_, K.N., 295
Mayo, murder of Lord, 22, 23
Measurements of some Andamanese, 344
Average height, 342
Weight, 342
Measurements of some Shom Pe[.n], 353, 354
Great Nicobarese, 356, 357
Kar Nicobarese, 355
Medicine, N., 115, 235
Megapodes, N., 68-70, 74, 77, 113, 121, 327, 328
Eggs, 70
Mounds, 68-70
Laying-places watched by Nicobarese, 243
Menchal, 127
Area, 127
Flora, 127
Geology, 127
_Menluanas_, N., 116, 232
Ceremonies, 233
_Merahta_, K.N., 287
Meroee, N., 118
Metals, N., 251
Military force, Port Blair, 27
Minerals, A., 176; N., 205
Mission School, Kar Nicobar, 59
Relics of old Moravian, N., 83
Missionary endeavour, N., 63, 257.
_See_ under "Nicobar Islands"--History.
Monkeys, N., 114, 122, 128, 129, 150, 166
Young, 153
Monopolies, N., 107, 308
Monsoon, effect of S.W., Andamans, 37, 45
N.E., Kar Nicobar, 299
Monsoons, N., 206
Mortality, N., 119, 123
Infant, A., 192
Mount Deoban, N., 120
Edgecombe, N., 98
Harriet, A., 19, 169
Thuillier, N., 138, 141
Mountain range, a submerged, 170
Mountains, A., 169; N., 141
Mourning customs, N., 250, 305
Mudfish, N., 149
_Mu-nung-ren_, K.N., 297
Murder, wizard, K.N., 314, 315
As punishment, K.N., 315
Of Lord Mayo, 22, 23
Of Dr Heifer, 181
Of F. H. de Roeepstorff, 96
Of Captain Owen, 212
M[=u]s village. _See_ "Kar Nicobar"
Music, the Nicobarese dance-, 87
Musical instrument, A., 189
Instruments used by Nicobarese, 87, 250
Muskets prohibited, N., 244
_Na-kopah_, K.N., 286, 287
Names, K.N., 305. _See_ "Nicknames"
Names, native topographical, 120
Compared with chart and trade names, Great Nicobar, 155
Nankauri
General topography, 90, 109
Temperature, 206
Rainfall, 206
Geology, 90
Area, 90
Population, 91
Harbour, 78, 98, 202
Settlement at, 214
Neglected by its possessors, 202
Malacca, 78
Spiteful Bay, 78
Anchorage, 78
Coral, 80
Village, 78
Landing-place, 79
_Kanaia_, 79
Houses, 79
Relics of old Moravian mission, 83
The headman's village, 83
Houses, 83, 84
Mangrove creeks, 80
Flora, 90
Fruit, 91
Fauna, 90
Whimbrel, 80
Supplies, 91
Water, 91
Tanamara, 75, 86, 88, 89, 101
Family, 84, 88, 89
House, interior and contents, 84, 85
_Kareau_, 85, 86
_Henta_, 85
Charms, talismans, and "scare-devils," 83, 85
Native flags, 80
Electro-plate possessed by natives, 81
Lamp, 81
Preparation for a festival, 80, 81, 86
"Making Christmas," 80
Interior of a house prepared for a festival, 81
A festival, 86, 87, 88
Dancing, 87
Dress and ornaments, 75, 81, 86, 87
Canoe, 79
Masts, 79
Sails, 79
Decoration, 79
Feeding domestic animals, 79
The house, canoes, etc., 85
Custom of adoption, 84
Exhumation, 82
Account of exhumation ceremonies, 82, 83
Offerings for the dead, 84
Piracy in the Nicobars, 91-94
British punitive expedition, 93
Narcotics, N., 248
Narkondam, A., 10, 169, 174
Natives.
_See_ under names of islands--"The Andamanese," "The Nicobarese,"
"The Aborigines of the Nicobar Islands"
Navigation in the Tropics, 29
Chinese, 138
Nests, edible birds', A., 29
Sunbirds' (_Arachnechtkra_), 133
Swifts', N., 126, 127
_Ngong_, N., 229
Nicknames, K.N., 59. _See_ "Names"
Nicobarese, the
Evolution, 221-225
Native legends of origin, 229
Appearance, 225-227
Custom of flattening the occiput, 226
Measurements of some Great Nicobarese, 356, 357
Measurements of some Kar Nicobarese, 355
Character, 227, 228
Results of education, 89
Language, 228, 229
Comparison of some Nicobarese and Shom Pe[.n] words, 155
Nicobarese linguists, 55, 58, 75, 112
Social state, 61, 242
Headmen, 241
Position of women, 242
Children, 242
Courtship, 238-240
Marriage, 235-237
Polygamy, 238
Divorce, 237
Property, 240
Method of guarding, 241
_Takoia_ (Kar Nicobar), 241
Diseases, 235
Medicine, 235
System of punishments, 230, 238, 241
Superstitious beliefs, 231-234
Talismans, 231
_Henta_, 77, 85
_Henta-koi_, 77
_Kareau_, 85-86
_Tamiluanas_, 232
_Menluanas_, 116, 232, 233
Cleanliness, 248
Dress and ornaments, 229, 249
Body painting, 249
_Ta-choekla_, 49, 229, 249
_Ngong_, 229
_Coiffure_, 249, 250
Betel chewing, 49, 248
Quids, 248
Use of tobacco, 248
Stimulants, 248
Coconut toddy, 247
Narcotics, 248
Beverages, 247
Native luxuries, 227
Food, 246
Pandanus fruit, 246, 252
Mode of preparing, 247
"Town halls," 240
Amusements
Canoe processions, 251
Pig processions, 251
Wrestling, 251
Musical instruments, 87, 250
The Nicobarese dance-music, 87
Domestic animals, 243
Fishing, 245, 246
Traps, 245
Weirs, 246
Weapons, 243-245
Tools, 243, 245
Foot brush, 247
Terms of salutation, 228
Custom when travelling, 228
Mourning custom, 250
Arts, 251
Appreciation of anatomical detail, 85
Industries, 251, 252
Metals, 251
Cultivations, 252
Monopolies, 107
Trade commodities, 252
License, 252
Inland, 252
Traders, 252, 253
List of principal articles imported by, for sale to the
Kar Nicobarese, 351
Articles found to be in demand for presents and barter, 352
Local communication and transport, 253
Coconuts, 253
Turtle, 246
Mode of capturing, 246
Use of skull, 246
Dampier's account of the Nicobarese, 256, 257.
_See_ also under "Bompoka," "Chaura," "Great Nicobar," "Kachal,"
"Kamorta," "Kar Nicobar," "Kondul," "Little Nicobar," "Nankauri,"
"Pulo Milo," "Teressa," and "Shom Pe[.n]"
Nicobar, Great. _See_ "Great Nicobar"
Nicobar Islands, the, 201
Position, 167, 201
Relationship, 321, 327
Soundings, 321
Coral banks, 201
Area, 201
Geology, 202-204
Minerals, 205
Coal, 204
Earthquakes, 205
Climate, 205, 206
Rainfall, 206
Temperature, 206
Monsoons, 206
Cyclone, 206
General botanic appearance, 207
Botanical division, 109
Flora, 207, 208
Principal flora of the Nicobars, 345-349
Fauna
Birds, 326-328
List of, occurring in the Nicobars, 328-331
Mammals, 322-324
Synopsis of mammalian fauna, 325
History, 177-179, 208-214
Nicobars known to Arab navigators, 208
First probable reference, 208
Chinese records, 208
Account of an Arab trader (A.D. 851), 208
Rashuddin, 209
Marco Polo (thirteenth century), 209
Friar Oderic (fourteenth century), 209
Master Caesar Frederike (sixteenth century), 209
Barbosa, 210
Captain John Davis (sixteenth century), 210
Officers of Sir J. Lancaster (sixteenth century), 210
Sir James Lancaster (seventeenth century), 211, 212
Koeping (eighteenth century), 212
Dampier's sojourn, 212. _See_ "Dampier"
Murder of Captain Owen, 212
Hamilton's references, 102, 105, 121, 212, 215
Jesuit attempt at settlement, 212
Danish colony founded (1756), 213
Settlement by Moravians (1766), 213
Koenig's account, 213. _See_ "Koenig"
History, Commercial expedition, 213
New Moravian settlement (1779), 213
English traders from India begin to visit the islands (nineteenth
century), 213
Pastor Rosen's mission (1831), 213, 214
Catholic mission, 214
Mackay's voyage in search of coal (1845), 214
_Galathea_ expedition (1846), 214
Voyage of the _Novara_ (1858), 214
Islands taken possession of by the Indian Government (1869), 214
British official possession (1807), 214
Settlement at Nankauri Harbour, 214
Nicobars and Andamans affiliated, 214
Marks of British possession, 97
Account of piracy in, 91-94
Missionary endeavour, 63, 257. _See_ also under "History"
Natural products of commercial value, 207, 208
Nicobars rich in building materials, 205
Malaria, 112, 205, 254, 255
Population, 202, 350
Decrease of, 76, 97, 149, 150, 350
Trade residents, 202
Census, 350
Water, 152
Native Topographical names, 120
Compared with chart and trade names, Great Nicobar, 155.
_See_ "Bompoka," "Chaura," "Great Nicobar," "Kachal," "Kamorta,"
"Kar Nicobar," "Kondul," "Little Nicobar," "Menchal,"
"Nankauri," "Pulo Milo," "Teressa," "Tilanchong," "Trinkat"
Nicobar, Kar. _See_ "Kar Nicobar"
Nicobar, Little. _See_ "Little Nicobar"
Novara Bay, N., 67
Occiput, custom of flattening the, N., 226
Occupations, commercial, K.N., 318, 319
Of the sexes, respective, S.P., 220
Offandi, N., 49, 50, 54, 311, 312
Offerings, canoe, K.N., 295, 296
For the dead, N., 84
Oil press, K.N., 52
Ol-kolo-kwak, N., 110, 112, 113
Olta-moeit, N., 98
Oenges, A., 190, 192, 342.
_See_ under "Rutland Island" and "Little Andaman"
Ornaments, personal. _See_ under names of islands
Owen, wreck and death of Captain (1708), N., 70, 71, 212
Paddles, N., 54
Pandanus fruit, N., 246, 252
Mode of preparing, 247
Cooking, S.P., 149
Pandanus, unpleasant qualities of, 112
Legend illustrative of, 112
Parrots, A., 17; (_Paleornis caniceps_), N., 128
_Passa_, cf. _Mal_, K.N., 303
Pathmaking, 15
Penal System, the Andamanese, 193-199.
_See_ also under "Port Blair"
Photography, trials of, 32
Pig (_Sus andamanensis_), A., 43;
(_Sus nicobaricus_), N., 137
Mode of preparing, for a feast, 100
Processions, N., 251
Pigeons, Nicobar, 68, 135
Pigeons, fruit (_Carpophaga insularis_), N., 62, 68.
Piracy in the Nicobars, account of, 91-94
Plantations, N., 49, 64, 71, 105, 132
Police surveillance, A., 19
Polygamy, N., 238
Population. _See_ under names of islands and "Census."
Decrease of, N., 76, 97, 149, 150, 350
Port Blair
Ross Island, 19, 20
The Government Settlement, 19, 20, 21
History of, 180, 181, 183
Colonel Temple, C.C., at, 21
Military force, 27
Police surveillance, 19
Gunboat tours, 28
Communication, 200
Temperature, 173
Rainfall, 173
Government schools, 343
Gymnasium, 344
Amusements, 20
The Penal System, 193-9
Viper Island, 25, 26
Jail, a visit to, 26
Cellular, 21
Inhabitants of, 25, 26, 27
Employments in, 26, 27
Punishment, 27
Convicts, 20, 26, 27
Hospital convalescents, 23
The harbour, 19, 21-25
Brickfields, 22
Lime kilns, 22
Phoenix Bay shipyard, 22
Mount Harriet, 19, 169
Hopetoun, settlement of, 22
Chatham Island, sawmills, 23
Hospital convalescents at, 23
Navy Bay tea-gardens, 25
Industries, 22, 198, 199, 200, 340, 341
Cultivations, 200
Character of the locally-born young generation, 344
Haddo, Homes for the Andamanese, 23, 24, 25
Andamanese at, 24, 25
Appearance, 24
Dress, 24
Ornaments, 24, 25
Skin decorations, 24
_Coiffure_, 24
Bows and arrows, 24, 25
Mode of carrying babies, 24
Port Cornwallis, Government Settlement transferred to, 180, 181
_Rendezvous_ at, in 1824, 181
Port registers, 75
Pots, Chaura, N., 108
Nicobarese belief concerning, 107
Process of making, 107, 108
Pottery, a possible origin of, 219
Kiln, Chaura, 108
Manufacture, monopoly of, 107
Preparis Island, 320
Presents, articles found to be in demand for, A., N., 352
Products, natural, A., 172, 199, 341. _See_ "Woods"
Of commercial value, N., 207, 208
Property, N., 240
Method of guarding, 241
Pulo Babi. _See_ "Great Nicobar"
Pulo Kunyi. _See_ "Great Nicobar"
Pulo Milo, 123
Area, 123
Village, 123
Houses, 123
Natives, 123
Pulo Nyur. _See_ "Great Nicobar"
Punishment at Viper Jail, 27
System of, N., 230, 238, 241
Instances of murder as, K.N., 315
Quarrels, instances of, K.N., 310-312
Mode of Revenging, 310
Rainfall, A., 173; N., 206
_Ramal_, K.N., 296
Rats (_Mus atratus_), A., 14.
_See_ also under names of islands and "Mammals"
Rattan collecting, N., 219, 220
_Rhinomyias_, N., 122
River, course of a, Little Nicobar, 125, 126
Dagmar, 149, 153
Galathea, 161-164
Jubilee, 138
Rivers, Great Nicobar, 142
Ross Island. _See_ "Port Blair"
Rowing, Chinese, 140
Rutland Island
A part of Great Andaman, 168
General topography, 29
Geology, 175
Ford's Peak, 169
Landing-place, 30
Village, 32
Huts, 32
Jungle, 30
Birds, 30
Oenge visitors, 30-33
Appearance, 31
Dress, 32
Body ornamentation, 32-34
_Coiffure_, 34
Utensils, 33
Bows and arrows, 33, 34
Mode of stringing, 34
Food, 33
Saddle Hill, 169
St George's Channel, 131
Salutation, terms of, N., 228
Sambhar, N., 100
_Samshu_ smuggling, N., 248. _See_ "Spirit traffic"
_Sanokuv_, the, K.N., 300
Sawi Bay. _See_ "Kar Nicobar"
Scenery, A., 170
School, mission, K.N., 59
Schools, Government, Port Blair, 343, 344
Servitude, N., 157
Settlement, the Government, A. _See_ "Port Blair"
Site for a, N., 121, 125
Sharks, edible, 9
Shrew (_Crocidura nicobarica_), N., 138
Shom Pe[.n], the.
_See_ "The aborigines of the Nicobar Islands," and "Great Nicobar"
Sir John Lawrence Island, wrecks on, 181
Skin decoration, A., 24. _See_ "Body decoration"
Social state, N., 61, 242
And other distinctions, K.N.,
_see_ "Kar Nicobarese social and other distinctions"
Solomon, V., K.N., 46, 63
Sombrero Channel, 118
Tides in, 118
Island, 106
Somerera Islands, Hamilton's account of the, 105
Songs, specimens of, A., 189
Soundings, A., 168, 320; N., 321
South Andaman
General topography, 28, 29
Macpherson Strait, 29
Anchorage, 29
Landing-place, 29
Birds' Nest Cape, 29
Edible birds' nests, 29
Native camping-place, 29
Hut, 29
Water, 35
Hog-deer, 28
Birds, 34, 35
Mammals, 35
South Bay, 160
Spears, N., 243; S.P., 219, 243, 244
Spirit traffic, 100. _See_ "_Samshu_ smuggling"
Spirits, belief in, A., 188
Evil, N., 123
Spiteful Bay. _See_ under "Nankauri"
Spring, hot, Barren Island, 11
Squalls, tropic, 10, 137
Stimulants, N., 248
Subsidence, A., 176; K.N., 136, 137
Suicide, instance of, N., 316
Sunbird, Andaman, 35; (_Aethopyga nicobarica_), N., 127, 143
Superstitious beliefs, N., 231-234
Supplies. _See_ under names of islands
Surveillance, police, A., 19
Swifts (_Collocalia linchii_), N., 126, 127
Nests, 126, 127
_Ta-choekla_, N., 49, 229, 249
_Takkuwis_, K.N., 292
_Takoia_, K.N., 241
Talaings, 223, 224
_Talik-n'gi_, K.N., 51
Talismans, N., 83, 85, 231
Tallies, K.N.
Of commercial transactions, 319
Of the months, 319
Of a child's age, 319
Tamils, 216
_Tamiluanas_, N., 232, 302
Ceremonies, 51
Regard for, 316
Tanamara, 75, 86, 88, 89, 101
Family, 84, 88, 89
House, interior and contents of, 84, 85
_Tanang alah_, K.N., 291
_Tanangla_, K.N., 299, 300
Tattooing, a case of, N., 100
Tea, attempt to foster taste for, N., 248
Teeth, celebration of loss of, K.N., 300
Temperature, A., 173; N., 206
Temple, Colonel, C.C., at Port Blair, 21
"Temple Villa," K.N., 47
Teressa
General topography, 103, 104
Area, 104
Geology, 104
Flora, 104
Tobacco fields, 104
Population, 105
Natives compared with Kar Nicobarese, 104
Hamilton's account of the Somerera Islands, 105
Terrapin Bay, N., 67
Thrush (_Geocichla albigularis_), N., 74
Tide-rips, N., 45, 131
Tilanchong
General topography, 66, 67, 68, 69, 72, 109
Area, 67
Anchorages, 67
Maharani Peak, 67
Novara Bay, 67
Terrapin Bay, 67
_Jheel_, 69
Herons, 69
Crocodile, 69
Water, 67
Plantations, 71
Kamortan visitors, 71
Lizards, 67, 68
Fruit bat, 70
Megapodes, 68, 69, 70
Mounds, 68, 70
Eggs, 70
Birds, 68
Crabs, 70
Foul ground off, 72
Wreck of Captain Owen (1708), 70
Timber, K.N., 53, 54. _See_ "Woods"
Tobacco, use of, N., 248
Fields, N., 104
Tools, A., 41; N., 243, 245
Topography, general. _See_ under names of islands
"Town halls," N., 240
Trade, N., 143, 252
Commodities, N., 252
Prices, N., 143, 154
Residents, N., 202
Shom Pe[.n], 219
Chaura, 106
Traders, N., 252, 253
Chinese, 112
Malay, 154
Articles imported by, for sale to Kar Nicobarese, 351
Tradition, a Kar Nicobarese, 215
Traditions, Christian, A., 189
Transport, local, N., 253
Transporting goods, cost of, K.N., 318
Trapping, 15
Traps, fishing, N., 245
Travelling, custom when, N., 228
Trees, principal forest, A., 336-338
Mode of climbing, N., 157
Banian, N., 122
Urostigma, N., 62
Tribal division, A., 190, 192, 342
Trinkat
General topography, 73, 74, 75
Possible results of elevation, 73
A deserted village, 73, 74, 76, 77
Huts, 73
Hut, contents of a, 77
_Jheel_, 74
Water birds, 74
Megapodes, 74, 77
Cattle, semi-wild, 47, 74, 75
Birds, 74
Rats, 77
_Tupaia nicobarica_, 136; N., 122
_Tupaia nicobarica surda_, N., 122
Turtle, N., 138, 246
Mode of capturing, 246
Skull, use of, 246
Urostigma trees, N., 62
Utensils, Oenge, 33
Kar Nicobarese, 48
_Vani pati_, K.N., 288
Villages. _See_ under names of islands
Viper Island, 25, 26
Jail. _See_ "Jail"
Volcanic activity, A., 13, 14, 174
Walker Island, 161
_Wanaka Kuv_, K.N., 291
Water. _See_ under names of islands
Water birds. _See_ "Birds," and under names of islands
Wealth, staples of, K.N., 50
Comparison of past and present, 292
Weapons and implements, A., 184, 189; N., 243-245.
_See_ "Bows," "Arrows," "Spears"
Weight, average Andamanese, 342
Weirs, fishing, N., 246
West Bay. _See_ under "Kachal"
Whale, killer, 119
Wind and weather, average, A., 335
Wizard murders, K.N., 314, 315
Wizardry, credence in, A., 188
Chaura natives believed to be exponents of, 296
Kar Nicobar, 314
Mode of obtaining reputation for, 314
Women, position of, A., 187; N., 242; S.P., 220
Woods, list of the more useful and valuable, A., 339
Worthington, William, 91, 92
Wreck and death of Captain Owen, 70, 71, 212
Wrecks on Sir John Lawrence Island, 181
Wrestling, N., 251
Yassan, N., 111, 116
_Yeng Awn_, K.N., 291
_Yintovna Siya_, K.N., 298, 299
_Yam Ap_, K.N., 302
_Yom Elpanam_, K.N., 302
Printed by
Oliver and Boyd
Edinburgh
FOOTNOTES:
[1] _The Aboriginal Inhabitants of the Andaman Islands_, by E. H. Man,
1884.
[2] On February 24th of this year Mr Vaux was killed while leading a
punitive expedition against a section of the Jarawa tribe, who had
recently murdered some wood-cutters. He rushed the last of several
hostile camps by night, and took a number of prisoners; but, treading in
the ashes of a smouldering fire at the moment of success, he caused it
to blaze up, and being seen by a retreating native, was shot through the
chest with an arrow, and died almost immediately.
[3] The Sellungs are a primitive and timid tribe, who wander in canoes
among the Mergui Islands during the fine weather, and make temporary
settlements on lee-shores in the south-west monsoon. They number between
two and three thousand.
[4] _The Cruise of the Marchesa_, by F. H. H. Guillemard, second
edition, London, 1889.
[5] 1901.
[6] Temperature in 1891 = 103.5. Hume visited the island in 1873 and
noted 140 deg., while in 1866 the Andaman Committee found the temperature to
be between 158 deg. and 163 deg.. In 1857 Dr Mouat landed, and writes of "a
natural boiling spring, the waters so extremely hot that they rendered
the sea in the immediate neighbourhood warm enough to roast crabs in
their shells," and about the same date Dr von Liebig records a broad but
thin sheet of nearly boiling water issuing from beneath the lava, and
the sea warm for many yards to a depth of more than 8 feet. Earlier
still, in 1831, we have Dr Adam's account, which states that 100 yards
from shore the water was nearly boiling; the stones and rocks on shore
exposed at low tide were smoking and hissing, and the water was boiling
all round them.
[7] In 1789 only withered shrubs and blasted trees were to be seen on
parts remote from the cone (Blair): while as late as 1866 there were no
trees of any height, but on the slopes and ridges abundance of bushes,
some rising 20 feet (Report of the Andaman Committee).
[8] Rulers of India Series--_The Earl of Mayo_, by Sir W. W. Hunter.
[9] A somewhat similar weapon to this remarkable bow is found among the
Oregon Indians, and also seen in the composite bow of the Eskimos, while
a third, still more closely approaching it in appearance and principle,
is found in New Ireland and the New Hebrides.
An interesting account of the Andamanese bow, with a series of
photographs showing the various stages of construction, has been
contributed by Mr M. V. Portman to the Archery volume of the Badminton
Library.
[10] See Appendix F.
[11] Scurvy is more prevalent on Little than on Great Andaman, perhaps
owing to the low-lying swampy formation of the larger portion of the
island. Hereditary syphilis is believed to be common among the Oenges,
having been possibly introduced at some remote period prior to the
occupation of 1858. Whether it is to be traced to Malay pirates, or
through the Jarawa tribes to the Settlement of 1789, will never be
ascertained, but, in coming to a conclusion, the Nicobarese must also be
considered as a factor in the case.
[12] "The hut was of the usual type of Little Andaman dwellings, having
raised platforms for the married people to sleep on; several large
baskets were slung up to the roof, and two rows of pigs' skulls
ornamented the walls, showing from their numbers (about 500) that there
was no lack of food."--M. V. Portman.
[13] The canoes are sometimes fitted with an outrigger, and it has been
supposed that this has been adopted from some Point de Galle
fishing-boat wrecked on the islands, for early writers never mention its
existence (Sir H. Yule, _Encyclopaedia Britannica_); but it is much
simpler to conjecture it to be a copy of the same feature from the
Nicobarese canoe. On the other hand, there is no argument against it
being original, for the aborigines of New South Wales and Queensland
have a canoe that is in every way almost the exact counterpart of the
Andamanese vessel.
[14] Such tide-races are not uncommon among the Nicobar Islands, and
later we met with several others, though none so severe as this first.
The tides round Kar Nicobar run with great velocity; a rate of 7 knots
has been noted to the eastward of the island.
[15] The Semangs, a group of Negritoes in the Malay Peninsula,
surrounded by dominant peoples dwelling in pile-buildings, still retain
their practice of building huts akin to those of the Andamanese.
[16] Of _Barringtonia speciosa_, _Eugenia javanica_, and _Calophyllum
inophyllum_.
[17] The Dyaks of Borneo employ a similar protection in their rice
granaries.
[18] _Kissat_ is the Kar Nicobarese name for the loin-cloth worn by
males. In the Central and Southern Islands of the group this article of
attire is styled _neng_.
[19] In contradistinction to the village, which is known as "_panam_."
[20] These large buildings in _Elpanam_ are equivalent to the "_Balai_"
of the Malays, for in them visitors are installed, feasts are held, and
general meetings take place.
[21] At delivery a recumbent position is assumed, and the mother is
attended by the nearest neighbours, who assist by pressing and kneading
the abdomen.
[22] _Cf._ Dyak custom, "When an interesting event is about to happen,
the lady is secluded in a small house, where she remains for several
months, during which no stranger is allowed to enter the hut."--_The
Head-hunters of Borneo_, by Carl Bock.
The practice of _couvade_ is said to exist among the Nicobarese, but we
heard nothing of it during our visit.
[23] This tree is found only in the southern islands, whence the large
sea-going canoes are obtained through the natives of Chaura, who act as
middlemen.
[24] "A century ago, all the natives of Kar Nicobar spoke the Portuguese
of the Indian Eurasians."--Hamilton, _Asiatic Researches_, vol. ii.
[25] Letters of recommendation:--
(_a_) "The bearer of this, Friend of England, is a very worthy young
man. He supplied me with a great quantity of nuts last voyage, and he
can be trusted to any amount under 6000 pairs.
10th March 1853, (Sd.) R. MIDDLETON, _Commander_.
Off Lapati Village, Car Nicobar. Barque _Colonel Brown_."
(_b_) "This is to certify that I have traded with Friend of England, a
native of this island, in coconuts, fruits, etc. Since I have found him
to be trusty, honest to his agreements, therefore, I feel pleasure in
saying that you can trust him with the truth before heaven.
North-West Bay, Island of Car Nicobar, Barque _Rochester of London_.
March 3rd, 1857. (Sd.) W. J. GREEN,
_Master of the above-named ship_."
(_c_) "On our visit to the north side of Car Nicobar, I found the
bearer, Friend of England, an honest, inoffensive man, and very willing
to afford all the assistance in his power to us during our stay.
H.M. Steamer _Undaunted_, (Sd.) W. L. C. BERESFORD, _Commander_.
January 1873."
[26] His portrait is, unfortunately, a failure, as he seems to have
moved slightly during the time of exposure.
[27] This is partly supported by a small monthly subsidy from the
Bishopric of Rangoon.
[28] _Singapore Review_, vol. ii.
[29] A. L. Butler, _Supp. And. and Nic. Gazette_, Nov. 1897.
[30] "I once weighed one of these birds and found it to be only six
times greater than its own egg; whereas I found that a domestic hen
weighs twenty-two times as much as its own egg."--E. H. Man.
[31] After Mr E. H. Man, by Col. Strahan, R.E., when surveying the
Nicobars in 1886-7.
[32] This may possibly be one of the results of elevation. As the island
grew, nuts drifted to its changing shores and took root, until, as more
and more land appeared, those trees which at one time stood along the
edge of the island would at length be situated in the interior. Kar
Nicobar, another low island of similar formation, also possesses forests
of indigenous coconuts.
"Trinkat, being flat, is divided amongst the inhabitants of the other
two islands, where they have their plantations of coconuts and areca
palms: these last being very abundant."--Fontana, _Asiatic Researches_,
vol. iii., 1778.
[33] The name of Mr Man is one to conjure with in the Nicobars.
Everywhere we met with expressions of regret that he was about to retire
after some thirty years' acquaintance with this group and the Andamans.
Now and then we made rather unwarranted use of his reputation--did we
want the portrait of a native who was rather nervous at the sight of the
camera. "Here, come along, and don't be afraid, Mr Man does this," and
it was all right.
[34] "The number of inhabitants on any one of the (central) islands does
not exceed 700 or 800. Ten or twelve huts form a village. Each village
has its 'Captain.' A woman who bears three children is very fruitful;
few bear more than four. No men seem older than forty or fifty; women
live longer."--Fontana, _Asiatic Researches_, vol. iii., 1778.
[35] Pronounced like _pain_ (French).
[36] We were told on the west coast of Great Nicobar, that no valuables
were kept in the village there for fear of the Shom Pe[.n], but that all
treasured possessions were stored in boxes, at Pulo Kondul.
[37] "To the middle portion of the roof frame an image of the household
god is attached; from the walls are suspended human figures carved from
wood, and enwreathed with bundles of grass or coconut leaflets, which
are regarded as charms for the cure of diseases. Above the centre posts
are hung up, strung to rattan, all the lower jawbones of hogs that have
been slaughtered by the family: and their number furnishes a due
estimate of the wealth of the owner of the house.... Wooden figures of
men armed with sword and shield, and women in a dancing posture, with
outstretched arms, are hung up in the rear and other parts of the
building."--"The People of Nias," _The Races of Mankind_, A. Featherman.
[38] Inuanga.
[39] Dr Scherzer (_Cruise of the "Novara"_) states that they were used
for frightening away the devil and driving him into the sea. _Cf._,
however, the _Ma-ya-kuv-ka-ma-ka_ of the Kar Nicobarese (p. 295); and
also an old Kar Nicobarese custom: "In every village there is a high
pole erected, with long strings of rattan hanging from it, which it is
said has virtue to keep the devil at a distance" (Hamilton, _Asiatic
Researches_, vol. ii.). On the other hand, Colebrooke (_Asiatic
Researches_, vol. iv.), writes: "In front of the villages, and a little
advanced in the water, they plant beacons of a great height, which they
adorn with tufts made of grass or the bark of some tree. These objects
are discernible at a great distance, and are intended probably as
landmarks; their houses, which are overshadowed by thick groves of
coconut trees, seldom being visible from afar."
[40] These flags are made by the natives, and some of them are a legacy
from the Danish occupation--a white St George's cross on a red ground,
with a double-ended fly.
[41] Fontana mentions the palm leaves and other branches decorating the
hut doors at festivals, 1778.
[42] Colebrooke, _Asiatic Researches_, vol. iv.
[43] "The Danes have long maintained a small settlement at the place
which stands on the northernmost point of Nankauri within the harbour.
A sergeant and three or four soldiers, a few black slaves, and two
rusty pieces of ordnance, compose the whole. They have here two
houses, one of which, entirely built of wood, is their habitation;
the other, formerly inhabited by the missionaries, serves now for a
storehouse."--Colebrooke, _Asiatic Researches_, vol. iv.
[44] Malacca.
[45] "The large, neatly-made bundles of trimmed billets of wood, have
always been mistaken for firewood, even by Pastor Rosen, who spent three
or four years in the Harbour. They are, however, made merely to serve as
offerings, and are rolled on to a grave of some relative or friend. They
are supposed to represent a substantial token of affection and regard as
they take much trouble to make. Their bundles of firewood are also
cylindrical, but consist of dry scraps of wood picked up in the jungle
and tied round with pieces of cane."--E. H. Man.
[46] Canoes also are occasionally fed with chickens.
[47] The white-bellied sea-eagle (_Cuncuma leucogaster_).
[48] THE WHOLE OF THE NICOBARESE DANCE MUSIC.
[Illustration: _Da Capo._
Fontana, _Asiatic Researches_, vol. iii.]
It is extraordinary that people who are comparatively so far removed
from savagedom, and so fond of dancing and singing, should have no
musical instruments. They are acquainted with a kind of flute used by
the Burmese, and a "guitar," but can show nothing of their own
invention. Even the Andamanese, absolute savages as they are, possess a
species of sounding-board, on which they beat time to their songs.
[49] _I.e._, "my marry" = my wife.
[50] Mr E. H. Man writes, however:--"Water is plentiful in the numerous
masonry wells and reservoir in the old Government station which is in
the harbour. We used to boil and filter it by way of precaution, and
then it was quite safe."
[51] Vide _Asiatic Journal_, vols. xiii., xv., xvi.
[52] Pere Barbe, _Jour. Asiatic Soc. Bengal_, vol. xv.
[53] _Singapore Review_, vol. ii.
[54] "Some Malays, who were at the Nicobars at the time, afterwards
stated that the _Pilot_ was attacked because the crew had tried to get
hold of the native women; but those of the landing-party who escaped in
the whaleboat, although attacked on shore simultaneously with the ship,
tell a very different story."--Vide _Asiatic Journal_, 1841.
[55] A somewhat different, and more accurate, account of the incident is
given in a volume of sketches by John Strange Winter, entitled _A Siege
Baby_. I have given here the unamended version of the natives as related
to us by the headman.
Mr E. H. Man writes:--"The story given by Tanamara, regarding de
Roeepstorff's murder, is very incorrect. The murderer (a havildar of the
Madras Infantry detachment then stationed at Nankauri) was under trial
for having assaulted a convict. After recording a lot of contradictory
evidence, de R. adjourned the case, whereupon the Madras Infantry
jemadar pleaded on behalf of the havildar. The magistrate reproved him
for his interference, whereupon the latter went and informed the
havildar that he would probably receive a severe sentence which might
result in his dismissal from the army. This so enraged the havildar that
on de R. riding past the M. I. barracks a few hours later the same day,
he shot him from his room. The havildar was the crack shot of the Madras
army, having twice carried off Commander-in-Chief's prize. He shot
himself on seeing that he had inflicted a mortal wound. De R. died
within a minute or so. It was his wife who despatched news of the affair
to Port Blair by a _bagla_, which had just arrived in Nankauri Harbour.
In five days I arrived and held the inquiry. Mrs de Roeepstorff during
those five days had a natural horror of the M. I. sepoys, and she would
not allow any of them to approach the house. Her Indian servants and
others remained with her as before."
[56] _Vocabulary of the Dialects spoken in the Nicobars and Andamans_,
Port Blair, 3s. _Dictionary of Nancowry and Nicobarese Languages_ (both
parts), Calcutta, 7s. 6d.
[57] This decline of population has been even more marked in the
southern group than in the central, and has been found to be due to
paucity of births and not to increased mortality. It has been attributed
to injury done by the practice among the men of the Central and Southern
Islands of fastening the _neng_ or loin-cloth unduly tightly over the
organs of generation, whereby these are in many cases rendered impotent.
At Kar Nicobar, Teressa, and Bompoka, and Chaura the _neng_ is worn less
tightly.
[58] Hamilton's _Account of the East Indies_, Pinkerton's Collection of
Travels.
[59] Vide Pere Barbe, _Jour. Asiatic Soc. Bengal_, vol. xv.
[60] These are all imported, many in order to sell to Kar Nicobarese.
[61] Pere Barbe (_Jour. Asiatic Soc. Bengal_, 1847) mentions other
monopolies: lime might only be burnt at Kar Nicobar, boats built only at
Nankauri, and to the same island was restricted the sowing of paddy.
(The last a possible evidence of local Malay immigration.)
With reference to this note, Mr E. H. Man writes:--
"Lime (by burning certain _sea-shells_) can be made only in the southern
group, Kachal, all villages inside Nankauri Harbour--except Ong-yuang,
also the villages in Dring and Expedition harbours.
"Lime (made by burning _coral_) can be made only at Kar Nicobar.
"Canoes (large and small) are made in the central and southern groups
where suitable trees are plentiful.
"Canoes (small) are made at Kar Nicobar, Teressa, and Bompoka."
[62] _Vide_ E. H. Man, _Jour. Anthrop. Inst._, 1893, vol. xxiii.
[63] Probably obtained from the deserted Government establishment at
Nankauri Harbour.
[64] Supercargoes.
[65] A legend illustrative of the unpleasant qualities of the pandanus,
recorded by Mr F. C. Christian in _The Caroline Islands_, runs: that the
Thunder-god, descending to earth, alighted in a pandanus bush, and found
the situation so painful that he bestowed the art of making fire and
moulding-pots upon the woman who released him from his predicament!
[66] The Nicobarese equivalent is _menluana_ ("medicine man," or
_shaman_).
[67] The belief that evil spirits cannot cross water seems to be of
world-wide prevalence, _cf._ Burns' "Tam o' Shanter."
[68] This cetacean is probably of the same species as that observed by
Mr Holdsworth in the Indian Ocean, and described in the _Mammals of
India_.
[69]
_Map Name._ _Native Name._
Kar Nicobar Pu
Batti Malv Et
Chaura Tatat
Tilanchong Laoek
Teressa Taihlong
Bompoka Poaehat
Kamorta Nankauri
Nankauri Nankauri
Trinkat Laful (East Id.)
Kachal Tehnyu
Meroe Miroe
Trak Fuya
Treis Ta-a[.n]
Menchal Menchal
Little Nicobar Ong
Pulo Milo Miloh
Great Nicobar Lo-oeng
Kondul Lamongshe
Kabra Konwana
[70] Dr K. Scherzer.
[71] The tupai of Little Nicobar, which differs somewhat from that of
Great Nicobar--principally the light areas of the pelage are less yellow
and less contrasted with dark areas--is considered a sub-species by Mr
Gerrit D. Miller, who has named it _Tupaia nicobarica surda_.
[72] About this fact I am not certain, for the Malay in which our
informant expressed himself was a thing quite _sui generis_.
[73] These fences were met with by de Roeepstorff on the east coast
(_Jour. Asiatic_ _Soc. Bengal_), and by the members of the _Galathea_
Expedition up the Galathea River in Great Nicobar (_Corvetten Galathea's
Jordourseiling, Steen Bille_, Kjoebenhaven, 1852).
[74] The Malay _roko_ is an affair of much wrapper and little tobacco,
whose flavour would seem so bonfire-like as to be akin to the brown
paper or stump of cane smoked by precocious and naughty little boys at
home!
[75] It is difficult to believe that this is the true reason of the
trees' infertility; but it is a fact that no coco palms, except those
about the houses, bear any nuts.
[76] The _ikan parang_ is known to us as the "garfish."
[77] _Pulo_ (_Malay_, island), on the west coast, is probably a
mispronunciation of _Telok_ (_Malay_, bay), for at only one of the small
anchorages so designated is there an island at all.
[78] _Ficus brevicuspis_(?)
[79] An exact counterpart to this weapon has been observed among the
"Alfurus" of Kau, Gilolo; _vide_ plate in Kukenthal's _Im Malayischen
Archipel_.
[80] Native name = _Laful._
[81]
_Nicobarese_. _Shom Pe[.n]_.
Spear, nuit, allai.
Finger, bewait, noite.
Pandanus fruit, lar[=u]m, munkuang.
[82] "The coast natives, man for man, are superior to the Shom Pe[.n],
and regard themselves so both physically and mentally. I have known of a
lot of the latter (estimated at about 20) attacking a coast hut in which
there were only two men. On these showing resistance and wounding a
couple of the Shom Pe[.n] with wooden spears, thrown from inside the
hut, the latter fled, carrying away the two wounded men. I have never
heard of Shom Pe[.n] venturing to attack the coast people unless they
were in superior numbers and could take them by surprise,"--writes Mr E.
H. Man, however.
[83] _Halcyon pileata_, conspicuous by its white-tipped wings, was very
common on the river, and the calls of one or two birds not elsewhere
obtained, were distinguished. Numbers of fish were seen in the shallows,
and sometimes a snake swimming from bank to bank was to be observed.
[84] This was the estimated area before Col. Hobday's survey of 1883-5.
[85] "Juru," _Andamanese_ = Sea.
[86] The absence of this tree has doubtless had as much to do with the
isolation in which the aborigines have lived as the hostility of the
latter, for the islands produce little else than rattans and
trepang--which would necessitate arduous collecting--to induce native
traders to visit them.
[87] Comparatively few.
[88] _The Malay Archipelago_, p. 9.
[89] _Vide_ paper on the "Geology of the Andamans," by Dr R. D. Oldham,
_Proceedings, Geological Survey of India_, vol. xviii.
[90] Still being deposited at Barren Island.
[91] This conclusion, although in some ways difficult to conceive
of--for the Arakan coast to the north, and the Nicobars to the south,
are both fringed by raised coral beaches, which show they have recently
been elevated--is based principally on the fact that stumps of trees,
which grow only above high-water mark, and beyond the reach of salt
water, are found in the mangrove swamps and on the seashore.
[92] _Pinkerton's Collection of Voyages._
[93] _Extractes of Master Caesar Frederike: his Eighteen Yeares' Indian
Observations. Purchus: his Pilgrimes_, London, 1625; vol. ii., p. 1710.
[94] _A Voyage Round the World by Dr John Francis Gemelli Careri.
Churchill's Collection of Voyages and Travels_, vol. iv.
[95] _Pinkerton's Collection of Voyages._
[96] _A Mission to Ava_, by Col. Michael Syme, 3 vols.
[97] The _Indian Antiquary_, monthly numbers, April 1900-June 1901,
contains articles by Lieut.-Col. R. C. Temple on Blair's reports of his
survey and settlement in the Andamans.
[98] _Vide_ "Our Monthly," June and July 1883. Rangoon.
[99] Since 1879, when the Cocos were transferred from the Commission of
the Andamans to that of Burma, several settlements, less unfortunate,
have been made in the same island for the purpose of trade in coconuts
and timber. There is now a lighthouse on Table Island--the most
northerly of the group--where many wild cattle (originally domestic)
roam.
[100] As one goes from South to North, the tribes become larger in
stature and redder (less black).--M. V. Portman, _Jour. Royal Asiatic
Soc._, 1881.
[101] Lieut.-Col. R. C. Temple, quoted in _The Aboriginal Inhabitants of
the Andaman Islands_, by E. H. Man--a work that deals in a most
exhaustive manner with the subjects indicated in the title, but is now,
unfortunately, out of print.
[102] "The dead are often disposed of on platforms erected in the fork
of some suitable tree. Old people and infants are generally buried."--E.
H. Man.
[103] In the _Jour. Royal Asiatic Soc._, 1881, Mr M. V. Portman
writes:--"Although traditions of a Creation, a Fall, a Deluge, and a
future state have been recorded as extant among the Andamanese, there is
reason to believe that these accounts are merely the Christian religion
as formerly taught in the Andaman orphanages, and distorted among the
natives; for, while the southern tribes have a legend of a stone house
where the Deity was born, the northern tribes, who have not been brought
into contact with the Settlement, have no such tradition;" but Mr E. H.
Man records traditions of a Creation, Fall, and Deluge, obtained from
aborigines possessing no knowledge of what had been taught to the few
small children at the Orphanage (chiefly reading and writing, sewing,
basket work, etc.), and moreover, doubts whether any of the latter were
capable of giving an intelligent--if any--account of the views held by
Christians on these subjects.
"The Andamanese traditions do not resemble those of Christians....
Savages in other parts of the world," writes Mr Man, "possessed
traditions on the same subjects before missionaries or other Christians
ever visited them."
[104] The _pukuta yemnga_, a shield-shaped piece of wood, placed with
the narrow end in the ground. Andamanese songs are in solos and
choruses, the latter invariably sung by both sexes if available, and are
accompanied by a dance, which takes place in the evening and at night,
in the jungle, when both men and women quite lose themselves in the
excitement.
Specimens of Andamanese songs:--
(1) "From the country of the Yerewas the moon rose; it came near; it
was very cold,--I sat down." _Chorus._--"I sat down."
(2) "Maia Poro saw a big turtle in the water, and hit him in the eye.
Poro laughed when he hit him in the eye." _Chorus._--"Poro laughed
when he hit him in the eye."
(3) "I am cutting the under-part of a canoe's prow. I am cutting a
canoe." _Chorus._--"I am cutting a canoe."
--_Vide_ "Andamanese Music," by M. V. Portman, _Jour. Royal
Asiatic Soc._, 1888.
[105] _Vide_ Appendix D.
[106] _Vide_ Appendix E.
[107] Orange Pekoe and Pekoe Souchong.
[108] The foregoing information relating to the convict system and the
progress of the Settlement is extracted from addresses by the Chief
Commissioner (Lieutenant-Colonel R. C. Temple) to the Andaman
Commission; _vide_ Supplements, _Andaman and Nicobar Gazette_, July
1897, and February 1901.
[109] After Mr E. H. Man.
[110] _Vide_ Appendix H.
[111] "All along this great line of volcanoes are to be found more or
less palpable signs of upheaval and depression of land...; upraised
coral-rock, exactly corresponding to that now forming in adjacent
seas...; unaltered surfaces of the elevated reefs, with great masses of
coral standing up in their natural position, and hundreds of shells, so
fresh-looking that it was hard to believe that they had been more than a
few years out of the water.
"The width of the volcanic belts is about 50 miles; but, for a space of
200 on each side of them, evidences of subterranean action are to be
found in recently elevated coral rock or in barrier coral reefs,
indicating recent submergence."--_Cf._ "Andamans," _The Malay
Archipelago_, A. R. Wallace, pp. 5, 6.
[112] _Vide_ paper on the "Geology of the Nicobars," by F. von
Hochstetter, translated by Dr Stoliczka, _Proc. Geol. Survey, India_.
[113] _Vide_ p. 137.
[114] Sir Henry Yule.
[115] _Vide_ translation by the Abbe Renaudet, in _Pinkerton's
Collection of Travels_, p. 183.
[116] "Travels, A.D. 1315-1330," _Hakluyt Library_.
[117] _Extractes of Master Caesar Frederike: his Eighteen Yeeres' Indian
Observations. Purchas: his Pilgrimes_, vol. ii., p. 1710.
[118] _Hakluyt Library._
[119] _Purchas: his Pilgrimes_, vol. i., p. 123.
[120] Lancaster's "Three Voyages to the East Indies," _Hakluyt Library_.
[121] Koeping, Stockholm, 1743.
[122] _Pinkerton's Collection of Voyages._
[123] H. Busch's _Journal of a Cruise round the Nicobars_.
[124] _Corvetten Galathea's Jordourseiling_, Steen Bille, 2 vols.,
Kjoebenhaven, 1852.
[125] _Voyage of the Novara_, Dr Karl Scherzer, 3 vols., London, 1862.
[126] "The people of Kar Nicobar have a tradition among them, that
several canoes came from Andaman many years ago, and that the crews were
all armed, and committed great depredations, and killed several of the
Nicobarians."--Hamilton, _Asiatic Researches_, vol. ii.
[127] Achin, at the north-west extremity of the neighbouring island of
Sumatra, appears to have been for ages before the arrival of Europeans
the great mart for the Telingu traders, who, probably as early as 2000
B.C., carried from the Malay Peninsula the tin used by the Egyptians in
making their bronze implements.
[128] "Commercial intercourse was maintained from a very early date
between the South of India and the trading towns which formed the
emporia of the spice islands, notably Johor, Singapore, and Malacca.
When the Portuguese, at the commencement of the sixteenth century, first
visited these places, they were amazed at the concourse of foreign
vessels assembled there. When this intercourse began it is impossible to
say, but it was probably much earlier than the above. Snouck-Hurgronje,
writing of Acheh, says that the settlement of Klings from Southern India
in that country is of great antiquity; and that the Tamils were the
leaders in this commercial enterprise in Malaya is clearly shown by the
pure Tamil words,--chiefly connected with commerce, though not
altogether so,--which have found their way into Malay.... The Malay for
'ship,' _kapal_, is pure Tamil ... the pure Tamil _padagu_, 'boat,' may
reasonably be taken to be the parent of the Malay _prahu_. If this be
so, it would seem as if the Tamils first introduced the Malays to even
the most elementary navigation, and, as they gave them _kapal_, taught
them to 'go down to the sea in ships.' ... They do not seem to have
settled down or intermixed with the Malays to any great extent,--not
certainly so much as in Acheh, where considerable colonies of Tamils
took up their abode. Their object being merely commerce, they went as
they came, returning year by year as the monsoon favoured."--"Southern
India and the Straits," W. A. O'Sullivan, _Jour. Straits Branch Royal
Asiatic Soc._, No. 36, July 1901.
[129] _Vide_ pp. 235, 236, of _A Naturalist's Wanderings in the Eastern
Archipelago_, by H. O. Forbes; London, Sampson Low, 1885.
[130] _Jour. Royal Geog. Soc._, 1899, p. 288.
[131] "Those that are of a permanent character sometimes partake of the
same bee-hive form which commonly marks the dwellings of the coast
people, being in like manner raised on posts 6 or 8 feet above the
ground."--E. H. Man, _Jour. Anthrop. Inst._, vol. xv.
[132] _Ficus brevicuspis._
[133] A similar ornament is worn in Sumatra, and also among the Dyaks
and Punans in Borneo; _vide_ Carl Bock's _Headhunters_, plates 10 and
21.
[134] "Each community of the tribe appears to possess a dialect more or
less distinct, but this is what might be expected when we consider the
isolation of the several encampments and the difficulty of
inter-communication, apart even from the hostile relations in which they
stand towards one another."--E. H. Man, _Jour. Anthrop. Inst._, vol. xv.
[135] Such hostility being now active on their side only.
[136] Professor V. Ball, _Jour. Asiatic Soc., Bengal_.
[137] Dr Stoliczka, _Jour. Asiatic Soc., Bengal_.
[138] Pere Barbe, _Jour. Asiatic Soc., Bengal_.
[139] Dr Rink, _Voyage of the Galathea_.
[140] E. H. Man, _Jour. Anthrop. Inst._, 1889.
[141] Pere Barbe, _Jour. Asiatic Soc., Bengal_, vol. xv.
[142] In 1897, a Malay vessel, on a voyage from Olehleh to Pulo Wai, was
blown to sea and sunk. Her crew took to their boat and reached Trinkat,
whence they were returned by the agent to Acheen in a Chinese junk. In
earlier times these men would probably have settled amongst the natives,
and so have been instrumental in the further diversifications of the
race.
[143] "The Nicobar Islands were peopled from the opposite main and the
coast of Pegu, in proof of which the Nicobar and Pegu languages are
said, by those (Nicobarese?) acquainted with the latter, to have much
resemblance."--Hamilton, _Asiatic Researches_, vol. ii.
[144] _Burmah_, M. and B. Ferrars.
[145] (_a_) In 1899, thirty-five men from the Maldives arrived at Kar
Nicobar in a ferry-boat, which resembled a lighter in appearance, and
was built of coconut wood. They had gone to Maldive from Addo Atel to
buy rice, and encountering a storm on the return journey, had missed
their island, and after a two months' voyage (more than 1000 miles)
reached Kar Nicobar, having thrown overboard most of their rice to keep
their vessel afloat. As they feared to go back in their own boat, they
were forwarded to Calcutta in various trading-vessels.
(_b_) "In almost all the villages (central group), Malabars or Bengalese
are to be found. The natives encourage them to stay by grants of land,
and after a certain number of years they are permitted to make choice of
a female companion."--Nicholas Fontana, _Asiatic Researches_, vol. iii.
[146] Professor A. H. Keane, "Man, Past and Present," _Camb. Geog.
Series_, 1899.
[147] Comparing the group of Kar Nicobar boys (page 60) with those of
Kondul (p. 138), it is not easy, at a glance, to perceive much racial
resemblance. The first, scowling and flat-nosed, with prominent teeth
and thick lips, and the others intelligent-looking, with almost European
features. Yet the eldest of these latter exactly resembled in every way
Little John, the man who was my _shikari_ in Kar Nicobar.
[148] Although the average is no more than with the Shom Pe[.n], there
is a much greater individual variation of stature.
[149] This is due to the practice, observed and described by Mr Man, of
flattening the occiput and forehead of infants by the mother, who gently
exerts pressure by means of a small pillow, and the palms and
outstretched fingers of both hands for an hour or so at a time.--_Jour.
Anthrop. Inst._, Feb. 1894, p. 238.
"It is a custom with them to compress with their hands the occiput of
the new-born child; by this method they say the hair remains close to
the head as nature intended it, and the upper fore-teeth very prominent
out of the mouth."--Nicholas Fontana, _Asiatic Researches_, vol. iii.
[150] Besides the aquiline noses already mentioned, a distinctly Jewish
or Papuan feature is occasionally to be met with.
[151] "They have _terms_ answering to 'How d'ye do?' and 'Good-bye.' The
following are said in the Central Islands:--
A. _Met chai-chacha-ka?_--How d'ye do?
B. _Pehari_ (said in response).--The same to you.
A. _Yashe me ra._--Good-bye (said by the person leaving).
B. _Tawatse me rakat._--Good-bye, _lit._, Thus you at present moment
(said in response).
A. _Pehari._--The same to you.
At the other islands there are corresponding terms."--E. H. Man.
[152] V. Solomon.
[153] Professor A. H. Keane, "Man, Past and Present," _Camb. Geog.
Series_, 1899.
[154] _Vide_ plate facing 248.
[155] Pere Barbe, _Jour. Asiatic Soc., Bengal._, vol. xv.
[156] Tanamara, headman of Malacca, Nankauri, when questioned on this
point, stated that the spirits were all evil:--"What, no got good
devil--_hantu baik_? No, all bad; plenty fever-devil, _plen-ty_ devil
eat man." But, with reference to this assertion, Mr Man writes:--"The
names of certain good spirits have often been given to me at Nankauri,
and by Tanamara himself." One inference is, that the latter purposely
denied their existence in order to be spared the trouble of answering
further questions on the subject.
[157] (_a_) "On the path, at no great distance from the (Dyak) village,
rude wooden figures of a man and woman are placed, one on each side
opposite to each other, with short wooden spears in their mouths. They
are called _Tebudo_, and are said to be inhabited by friendly _hantu_
(spirits) who keep the path clear of inimical spirits."--Chalmers.
(_b_) "The Bed[=a]jo[=e] possess a multitude of large wooden idols
called _Hampatong_, as well as other objects which cult or superstition
has consecrated. Every habitation of this tribe, as well as those of the
Dusuns, has several small wooden idols who are supposed to guard the
habitation, protect the rice harvest, preserve the inhabitants against
sickness, and to fulfil generally analogous functions. The Dyaks
collect, with the same object, skulls of monkeys, bears, and wild cats,
which they preserve in little boxes called _kamontoha_, and which they
suspend in the houses."--S. Mueller.
(_c_) "As far as we could learn, the only act of worship paid these
images is that of offering them food once or twice a month, such as
rice, pork, eggs, fowls. On #no# condition will they (Dyaks) consent to
give them up, and the only reason assigned is that sickness will be the
inevitable consequence."--Doty.
(_d_) "The inland tribes of Borneo are without any definite forms of
religious worship; they make idols of wood, but I have never seen any
offerings made to them, nor do they regard them apparently as anything
more than scarecrows to frighten off evil spirits."--_Folklore in
Borneo_, by W. H. Furness.
(_e_) "These figures (_tambatongs_) are not exactly idols in the
ordinary sense of the word, as they are not directly worshipped,
although representing the religious beliefs of the Dyaks, and regarded
with superstitious veneration; they should, perhaps, rather be called
talismans, as they are looked upon as charms to keep away evil spirits
and ill-luck."--P. 32, _Headhunters of Borneo_, by Carl Bock.
(_f_) "Although I found in a house at Old Affara (a village on Vorkay,
one of the southernmost of the Arrus) an image rudely formed of wood,
together with a post on which different figures, such as snakes,
lizards, crocodiles, and human forms, were carved, and which the owner
stated to be intended for preserving the house from evil spirits
(_Swangi_), yet it is evident that the Arafuras of Vorkay possess no
religion whatsoever.... They certainly hold a feast at the time in which
they have perceived that the Christians of Wamma hold one also, namely,
at the commencement of the year, when they, in imitation of the
Christians, celebrate the advent of the new year.... Of the immortality
of the soul they have not the least conception."--Koff's _Voyage of the
Dourga_, p. 161.
(_g_) "The Battas believe in demonic agency called _Begu_ for every
species of malady.... To drive out these demon monsters ... talismans
and charms are employed."--Featherman's _Social History of Mankind_.
[158] (_a_) "Amongst the Dyaks ... newly-married couples do not go to
live in a new house of their own, but a compartment is set apart for
them in the house of the bride's parents."--Hickson's _North Celebes_,
p. 286.
(_b_) "The marriage customs throughout the Sangir, Talant, and Sian
Archipelago are based on the old matriarchal system--that is, when a man
is married he becomes a member of his wife's family, and must leave his
own and go to live in the village or the house of his wife's
parents."--P. 197.
(_c_) "When a Dyak marries he enters the family of his wife, and lives
in her parents' house till the couple set up for themselves, which is
generally not for some time afterwards."--Denison.
(_d_) "If the suitor among the Battas is too poor to pay the price for a
wife, he may contract the _ambil anak_ marriage, which obliges him to
become a member of the family of the bride's parents and live with them
in the same dwelling: he is required to work for his father-in-law, and
attend to the ordinary agricultural labour."--_Social History of the
Races of Mankind_, A. Featherman.
(_e_) "New couples mostly start life in the young wife's home, the lad
working for her parents, and as families come, the elder pairs are
established in houses of their own."--_Burmah_, M. and B. Ferrars.
[159] Cf. _A Naturalist in North Celebes_, S. I. Hickson, p. 198.--"In
the Sangir Islands the only persons who are free from the matriarchal
system are the sons of the rajahs, who do as they please about following
their wives." P. 286--"Among the Dyaks of Sarawak we find ... that in
some cases the man does not follow the woman; but if he is of higher
rank, or the only support of aged parents, the woman is obliged to come
and live in his family."
[160] (_a_) "A man may readily obtain a divorce without any better
reason than that he has fixed his heart on another woman."--"Customs of
the Minahassers," Hickson's _North Celebes_, p. 281.
(_b_) "Divorces are very common; one can scarcely meet with a
middle-aged Dyak who has not had two and often three or more wives.
Repudiation takes place for the slightest cause--personal dislike or
disappointments, a sudden quarrel, bad dreams, discontent with the
partner's powers of industry or labour, in fact, any excuse. In fact,
marriage is a business of partnership for the purpose of having
children, dividing labour, and by means of their offspring providing for
old age. It is therefore entered into and dissolved almost at pleasure.
The causes are innumerable, but incompatibility of temper is perhaps the
most common; when they are tired of each other they do not say so, but
put the fault upon an unfavourable dream or a bad omen--either of which
is allowed to be a legitimate cause for separation."--St. John.
[161] Side by side with this state of things, which is practically one
of free love, a licensed immorality exists among the natives, and there
are several brothels or houses of assignation in the village of M[=u]s,
population 530!
[162] Cf. _A Naturalist in North Celebes_, S. I. Hickson, p. 197.--"The
rajah of Morong, in the Talant Islands, told me, that in case of a
divorce the children go 'where they do not cry.'" P. 288--"In some
cases, the children, when the parents are divorced, can choose the
family to which they will afterwards belong."
[163] Yassan of Kachal possessed three houses and three wives. Offandi,
headman of M[=u]s, had two wives, and knew of others similarly situated.
"I got two wives now. I no want more than two wives one time; plenty
trouble. Before I have other wives; when young, I go with ----."
"Generally speaking, the native (of Sarawak) is content with a single
wife; only wealthy men and chiefs have sometimes two or
three."--Schwaner.
[164] This is the common practice of the Nicobarese. The fault of one is
punished for the benefit of all, and the person directly injured
receives little actual compensation. The custom is one that does not
encourage litigiousness.
[165] The late "Davy Jones" of Kar Nicobar lived with two women who were
sisters of each other; his neighbours looked on with much disapproval,
but no one ventured to interfere.
[166] "Among the Battas no marriage ceremonies take place; rich
men and rajahs only regale the village by killing a buffalo or
hog."--Featherman.
[167] (_a_) _Cf._ St John's _Life in the Forest of the Far
East_.--"Besides the ordinary attentions which a young man (of the
Sarawak Dyaks) is able to pay the girl he desires to make his wife, as
helping her in her work, and carrying home her load of vegetables, as
well as making her presents, there is a peculiar testimony of regard
that is worthy of note. About nine or ten at night, when the family is
supposed to be asleep within the mosquito curtains in the private
apartment, the lover quietly slips back the bolt by which the door is
fastened on the inside, and enters the room on tip-toe. He goes to the
curtains of his beloved, gently awakes her, and she, on hearing who it
is, rises at once, and they sit conversing together and making
arrangements for the future, in the dark, over a plentiful supply of
sireh leaf and betel-nut, which it is the gentleman's duty to provide.
If, when awoke, the young lady arises and accepts the prepared
betel-nut, happy is the lover, for his suit is in a fair way to prosper;
but, if on the other hand, she rises and says, 'Be good enough to blow
up the fire,' or 'to light the lamp,' then his hopes are at an end, for
that is the usual form of dismissal. Of course if this kind of nocturnal
visit is frequently repeated, the parents do not fail to discover it,
although it is a point of honour among them to take no notice of their
visitor; and if they approve of him, matters take their course, but if
not, they use their influence with their daughter to ensure the
utterance of the fatal 'Please blow up the fire.'"
(_b_) "Customs of the Minahassers," Hickson's _Celebes_, p. 272.--"Two
young people meet at the _mapalus_ (communal gatherings for work,
followed by a feast), and over the feasting and singing become
interested in one another, and fall in love. Then follows the courtship,
which is not supposed to be open and above-board, but is, nominally at
least, carried on in secret. It consists in nocturnal visits of the
young man to the young woman's house, visits which although frequently
attended by immorality, are not necessarily so, and are often perfectly
decorous and formal.
"The young woman prepares a mat for her lover, and after dark he comes
to visit her. The parents are, of course, aware that their daughter is
receiving a visitor, and are indeed proud that she should be thus so
sought after; but at the same time they warn her to be cautious. The
lover departs again before daybreak, in order that there may be no
gossip in the village about their engagement until all is settled. These
visits extend over some weeks, and at last one morning he remains until
the day has broken, as a sign that the engagement may be formally
announced."
[168] _Cf._ Malay custom during the marriage ceremony, of the bride's
female friends trying to prevent the entrance of the bridegroom and his
companions.
[169] In some places in the south it is said that coconut plantations
are held in common by all in the village.
[170] "With regard to _takoia_, there is an observance of tabu when a
death occurs. The coconut and pandanus plantation of the deceased is
banned, the fruit being allowed to drop and germinate where it lies. The
trees are marked by having coconut fronds fastened round their trunks,
so no one, even a stranger, can appropriate the fruit through ignorance.
As in the case of a large plantation it would be too great a task to
mark each tree in this way, only the most conspicuous trees along the
boundary are so distinguished, as this suffices to indicate that all
within the boundary are included in the _tabu_."--E. H. Man.
[171] Dr Guillemard on "The Papuans," _Australasia_, vol. ii., 1894.
[172] The only place where the domestication of the megapode is recorded
is the island of Savo in the Solomons. Here the birds may be seen
sitting quietly on the fences about the villages, and the laying-grounds
are regularly portioned out amongst the inhabitants.--Vide _Among the
Man-eaters_, by John Gaggin; London, Fisher Unwin.
[173] "Their favourite weapons are javelins, which they throw fifty
yards; they often poison the point with a subtle drug."--Chopard, _J. I.
A._, 1847.
"Lances with points of iron or hardened wood."--Scherzer, _Cruise of the
Novara_, 1858; and see p. 281.
[174] _Cf._ "The large quadrangular nut is a 'common object of the
sea-shore' in the Malay Islands, and is much used by the natives to
catch fish. The fruit is pounded and thrown into the water, and the
fish, rising to the surface in a stupefied condition, are easily
secured."--P. 188, _Cruise of the Marchesa_, by F. H. H. Guillemard;
London, John Murray, 1889.
Also used for the same purpose by natives of the Solomons.--_Vide_ H. B.
Guppy's _Solomon Islands_; London, Swan, Sonnenschein.
[175] _Vide_ item 2 of plate facing p. 94.
[176] In some of the islands a pot-cover is made by sewing together a
special kind of leaf with long slips of rattan, until a pad quite an
inch in thickness is obtained.
[177] In many islands of the Pacific Ocean--Marshalls, Gilbert and
Kingsmills, the Carolines, Union, and Ellice, and in New Guinea--the
pandanus fruit is used as a food, especially in times of scarcity, but
in general the kernel only is eaten, and the inner end of the drupes
gnawed off.
[178] Referred to in these pages as _kissat_, _neng_, or #T# bandage,
for want of a more accurate expression.
[179] For the dress used at various periods, refer to the authorities
quoted in other chapters. The earliest clothing--apart from ornamental
cords and string bracelets, etc., as are still used by the
Andamanese--seems to have been, for the men a strip of bark cloth, and
for the women a short petticoat of grass or coco-palm leaf (_ngong_).
[180] The idea being that the demon who caused the death may fail to
recognise the survivors.
[181] M. V. Portman, _Jour. Royal Asiatic Soc._, 1888.
[182] G. Hamilton, _Asiatic Researches_, vol. ii.
[183] _Cf._ "Dyak dishes," in _Headhunters of Borneo_, plate 19.
[184] (_a_) Of thirty individuals of the _Galathea's_ crew engaged in an
exploring expedition up the Galathea River, and caught one night in a
rain-storm which compelled them to remain in the forest wringing wet, no
fewer than twenty-one fell ill of fever, which ultimately proved fatal
in four cases.--Vide _Corvetten Galathea's Jordourseiling_, 1852.
(_b_) During a stay of thirty-two days amongst the islands, the frigate
_Novara_, with a crew of 320 men, had six cases of fever, but, when in
the Straits of Malacca, fifteen more developed the same illness. All
recovered, and those of the company who had never set foot on shore,
furnished the largest contingent.--Vide _Cruise of the Novara_, 1858.
(_c_) Of the five from the _Terrapin_ who ascended the Galathea River
and spent a night in the interior of the island, each was down with
malaria either during the voyage to, or after arrival at, Singapore.
[185] Nankauri(?)
[186] Dalrymple, in his _Oriental Repertory_, states, that Captain
Weldon surveyed the Nicobars in 1687, and sent the survey, together with
a history of the islands, by a Spanish priest to the East India Company.
It does not appear to have been ever printed.
[187] The parallel of 7 deg. N. lat. bisects the island.
[188] In this sentence of his description, Dampier's observations are
incorrect.
[189] "Larum." If they called it so, the name was probably acquired from
Portuguese visitors.
[190] Always greyish-white.
[191] This is the true bread-fruit (_Artocarpus incisa_), which does not
grow in the Nicobars, and with which the fruit of the pandanus is
nominally confounded by the English-speaking natives and by several of
those Europeans who have visited the Archipelago.
[192] This type of house is still built. See photograph taken at Pulo
Milo, p. 124.
[193] Outriggers.
[194] Nowadays they invariably paddle, and have no oars.
[195] This is probably an exaggeration, but there is no doubt that the
island carried then a far greater population than it does at the
present.
[196] The Pasangan River has two mouths, of which the western is named
Jangka.
[197] Kampong Jangka, on the left bank of the river of that name.
[198] Nicobar.
[199] Planksheers(?)
[200] Probably a Licuala.
[201] Ambergris(?)
[202] "Ambergris, which is a waxy concretion formed in the intestine of
the sperm-whale, is occasionally found on the shores of the Nicobar
Islands. At times the carcase of a whale has been found ashore, and on
examination a valuable quantity (several hundred rupees worth) of
ambergris has been thus obtained."--E. H. Man.
[203] _Cf._ Shom Pe[.n] spears.
[204] Banana.
[205] This same iron rod is used in the rainy season as a means for the
prevention of thunder and lightning.
[206] These dances are practised by the guests from the time they
receive the first intimation.
[207] Called also _Kofente_--place of pollution. The natives have a
horror of this spot, which nothing will induce them to visit at night.
[208] The above is the M[=u]s proceeding; at Lapati there is more
elaboration. The spacious square of _Elpanam_ is thoroughly cleared, and
the huts and fences of the traders dismantled, a separate place in the
jungle being given them. In the centre of _Elpanam_ an iron spike
(_merahta_) is fixed and covered with leaves. Then the _tamiluanas_,
adorned with silver and garlands, arrive in procession, and suddenly
pulling up the pike, throw it into the sea. After washing their feet
they come back to the dances.
This ceremony is by way of augury as to the prospects for the ensuing
season.
[209] _Vide_ p. 303.
[210] The reason for these proceedings given to Captain Gardner by the
natives in 1851 was, "because they do thus in England," for so several
captains had told them!
[211] "Amongst the Arafuras (Aru Islands) the treatment of their dead
betrays in the greatest degree their uncivilised condition, and the
uncertainty which exists among them as to their future state. When a man
dies all his relations assemble and destroy all the goods he may have
collected during his life, even the gongs are broken to pieces and
thrown away. In their villages I met with several heaps of porcelain
plates and basins, the property of deceased individuals, the survivors
entertaining an idea that they have no right to make use of
them."--Kolff's _Voyage of the Dourga_, p. 166.
[212] In the matter of names, a Kar Nicobarese tries to please everyone
with whom he is acquainted. There is often his own native appellation,
an English one, another by which he is known to the Indian traders, and
a fourth under which he does business with the Burmese!
[213] G. Hamilton, _Asiatic Researches_, vol. ii.
[214] This monoply is due to their geographical position. The Kar
Nicobarese find it as much as they dare venture to do, to go so far as
Chaura for their large canoes and pots. As it is, many lives are lost at
sea. (In 1899 at least 29 were drowned in returning from this island,
and more recently 12 or 13 were similarly lost.) Chaura is situated
midway between Kar Nicobar and Nankauri Harbour and Kamorta, where the
principal purchases are made by the Chaura people.
[215] "I was present on a certain occasion at M[=u]s ... having brought
Tanamara with me from Nankauri. In strolling through the village we
caught sight of a fine large canoe, which he recognised as having been
sold by him to a certain native of Chaura. Offandi proved to be the
owner, and he, on being questioned, said that he had bought it from the
same man. On further enquiry it was found, that while the Chaura
middleman had _promised_ to give 25 rupees in kind to Tanamara (only
part of which had yet been paid), he would not let Offandi have it till
he had delivered to him a long list of articles (_e.g._ cloth, spoons,
tobacco, etc.), which, on being totalled up, were found to amount to
about 105 rupees in value."--E. H. Man.
[216] E. H. Man.
[217] "In the morning dances commenced in the open air. Two immense
circles of men and women were formed, linked hand in hand, one circle
within the other. The dance continued for hours, accompanied by a
monotonous chant. Sometimes the two circles moved in opposite
directions, or expanded to their utmost stretch and contracted again by
advancing towards the centre. In posturing they kept time with the
singing, all turning to right and then to left, raising their arms or
letting them fall together. The inner circle knelt on the left knee,
placing their heads to the ground, but still holding each other, while
the outer circle, also hand-in-hand, stepped over them and became the
inner one. This was frequently repeated, and in this and other movements
the dance consisted. The circles consisted of about 200 people
each."--"A Visit to Car Nicobar, 1851," by Captain Gardner, _Singapore
Review_, vol. ii.
[218] _Diary of Catechist V. Solomon._
[219] "It is worthy of note that this animal differs more conspicuously
from its congeners than is the case with any of the other mammals." But
even it--were it indigenous and not a stray introduction--one would
expect to find on others of the islands (such as Kachal) similar in
surface and vegetation to Great and Little Nicobar. It no doubt was
established in these two last before they became disunited, as
sufficient time has elapsed for a distinct variation to occur, while the
far greater depth of sea between them and Kachal would indicate a
separation anterior to the arrival of the species.
[220] This table and the foregoing quotations, are from the paper on the
"Mammals of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands," by Mr Gerrit S. Miller,
vol xxiv., _Proceedings of the National Museum, U.S.A._
[221] The presence of a megapode in the Nicobars, a genus that occurs
also in the Indo-Malayan region, is the most interesting feature of the
islands' avifauna. Dr A. R. Wallace says, in _The Distribution of
Animals_: "The Megapodidae are highly characteristic of the Australian
region ... only sending two species beyond its limits (_M. cumingi_ and
_M. lowi_ in the Philippine and North-West Borneo Islands), and another
in the Nicobar Islands, separated by about 1800 miles from its nearest
ally in Lombok. The Philippine species offers little difficulty, for
these birds are found on the smallest islands and sandbanks, and can
evidently pass over a few miles of sea with ease; but the Nicobar bird
is a very different case, because none of the numerous intervening
islands offer a single example of the family. Instead of being a
well-marked or differentiated form, as we should expect to find if its
remote and isolated habitat were due to natural causes, it so nearly
resembles some of the closely allied species from the Moluccas and New
Guinea, that had it been found with them it would not have been thought
specifically distinct. I therefore believe that it is probably an
introduction by the Malays (Dr Guillemard states that this bird is often
seen in captivity in Malaysia), and that, owing to the absence of
enemies and general suitability of conditions, it has thriven in the
islands, and has become slightly differentiated from the parent stock."
The megapode also occurs on the Cocos Islands, but not on the Andamans
intervening between these and the Nicobars. This may be explained either
by the fact that it may formerly have existed on the Andamans, where it
has been exterminated by the carnivorous palm-civet common in that
group, or that, owing to the hostility of the natives, voyagers were
deterred from stopping there and thus causing the introduction of the
bird, a course they would be the less persuaded to attempt in that there
were no coconuts to attract them.
[222] _Vide_ A. O. Hume, _Stray Feathers_, vols. ii. and iv.
[223] From A. L. Butler's "Birds of the Andamans and Nicobars," _Proc.
Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc._, vols. xii. and xiii.
* * * * *
TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES:
1. Passages in italics are surrounded by _underscores_.
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[Greek: b] represents greek letter beta.
4. Certain words use an oe ligature in the original.
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example, 3-1/2 indicates three and a half.
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a macron above it. And [.n] represents letter n with dot above.
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End of Project Gutenberg's In the Andamans and Nicobars, by C. Boden Kloss