THE PEOPLE.
his appointment and is then hustled and kicked to the satisfaction. of everyone until the curtain falls. Puránic stories are also acted, and marionette shows representing- episodes in the Rámáyana are given by Bommalátas and others and at least one company of Bondili Rájputs. In Vizianagram, the present Rája's grandfather introduced at the Dasara the elaborate representations of scenes from the Rámáyana which are so popular in Northern India, and the three miniature forts which he built to represent Ayódhya, Janakapatnam and Lanka are still to be seen in the town. Dasara, Sankranti (the Tamil Pongal) and Sivarátri are the three most popular festivals in the country. Some account of the ceremonies performed at the first of these at Jeypore is given on p. 262. On the plains it is followed by the Gauri feast, celebrated by the women in memory of Párvati, who in the form of the beautiful Gauri, saved the corn from the rákshasas. Gauri, represented by a bundle of paddy ears, is carried in procession while the women chant songs setting forth her life and doings.
Cock- and ram-fighting are very popular. The latter is rather an aristocratic pastime, but few are too humble to have a likely cock or two. The best-known breeds are called Dinki and Punzu, and are sold for astonisliing prices. Sharp knives are tied to the combatants' spurs and the fights are short and gory. Gambling with cowries is a favourite pastime, especially among Dévángas and Kómatis. It is a kind of glorified pitch and toss, the players betting on how many out of sixteen cowries tossed into the air will come down wrong side uppermost.
In the Agency, cock-fighting is again popular, shikár is often available, drinking-parties are frequent and hilarious, and the periodical ceremonies at the shrines of the indigenous and imported gods provide excuses for festivities. Many of the men are fond of music; and while away the lonely hours in the fields by warbling to themselves plaintive melodies on bamboo flutes, or twanging at a two-stringed mandoline provided with a dried gourd for a sounding-board.
But dancing is the most popular diversion. The men and women dance in separate sets and a party begins at nightfall and usually lasts till daylight doth appear. There are several different tribal dances. The Khonds and Savaras pride themselves on their skill, but their best efforts are little more than clumsy stamping in time; the Brinjári women's idea of dancing is to stand in a bunch and clap their hands while their meufolk hop round them jingling their anklets; the Gadabas usually display more energy than science — though those round Boipariguda
71
