[2] Compare Major Playfair’s The Garos, page 114, where the word “marang” is said to have the meaning of “unlucky” and “unlawful.” [↑]
[3] For a somewhat similar instance of trying to ward off cholera, vide Khasi Monograph, p. 35.—P. R. G. [↑]
[4] “Suak” or “Suok” in most old Kuki dialects and in Thado means a slave. [↑]
[5] Can the fear of his heirs neglecting to put up a memorial stone have originated the “stone hauling” customs so distinctive of Maram and Angami Nagas? [↑]
[6] The Rālte clan is described in Part II, Chap. II. [↑]
CHAPTER V
FOLK-LORE
1. Legends. There are many tales common to all the Kuki-Lushai clans, though the names under which the various personages figure in them are not always the same. A numerous class of legends deals with the creation of the world and the first appearance of mankind thereon and other natural phenomena; another class accounts for the names of hills and rivers; a third class reminds one of Uncle Remus’s tales of the doings of Brer Rabbit; but there are also a great many which are simply tales and which are generally a trifle obscene. The following are instances of the first class:—
Chhura is said to have shaped the world, beating it out flat with his mallet. There are many tales connected with Chhura some of which will be found further on. The following translation gives a Lushai’s idea of an eclipse of the sun or moon:—