Chittagong.—Hindú elements now increase. Even in Arakhan, Buddhism had ceased to be the only creed of western origin. There were Mahometans who spoke a mixed dialect called the Ruinga;[27] and Brahminical Hindús who spoke another called the Rosawn. In Chittagong, then, we must look about us for the aborigines; so intrusive have become the Hindú elements. Intrusive, however, they are, and intrusive they will be for some time to come.
The foot of the hill, and the hill itself, are important points of difference in Indian ethnology. On the lower ranges of the mountains on the north-east of Chittagong are the Khumia (Choomeeas) or villagers; khum (choom) meaning village. These are definitely distinguished from the Hindús, by a flat nose, small eye, and broad round face, in other words by Mongolian characteristics[105] in the way of physiognomy. But the Khumia are less perfect samples of their class than the true mountaineers. These are the Kuki,[28]—hunters and warriors, divided into tribes, each under elective chiefs, themselves subordinate to a hereditary Raja,—at least such is the Hindú phraseology.
Their creed consists in the belief of Khogein Pootteeang as a superior, and Sheem Sauk as an inferior deity; the destruction of numerous enemies being the best recommendation to their favour. A wooden figure, of human shape, represents the latter. The skulls of their enemies they keep as trophies. In the month of January there is a solemn festival.
Language and tradition alike tell us that the Kuki (and most likely the Khumia as well) are unmodified Mugs. The displacement of their family has been twofold—first by Hindús, secondly by Buddhist (or modified) Mugs at the time of the Burmese conquest. The Kuki population extends to the wilder parts of the district of Tippera.
Sylhet.—On the southern frontier we have Kukis; on the eastern Cachari; on the northern Coosyas (Kasia). Due west of these last lie the Garo. I imagine that both these last-named populations are members of the same group—but cannot speak confidently. If so, we have departed[106] considerably from the more typical Burmese of Arakhan and Ava. Still we are within the same great class. The Garo will command a somewhat full notice.
The Cachars depart still more from the more typical Burmese; the group to which they most closely belong being one which will also be enlarged on.
North of the Kasia we reach the western portion of the southern frontier of—
Assam.—Here it will be convenient to take the whole of the valley—Upper as well as Middle and Lower Assam—although parts of the former are independent rather than British—and to go round it; beginning with the Kasia country and the Jaintia mountains on the south-west. I imagine—but am not certain—that the Kasia and Jaintia mountaineers are very closely allied.
Next to the Cachars on the southern, or Manipur, frontier are—
The Nagas.—These are in the same class with the Kuki; i.e., the wild tribes of Manipur, speaking a not very altered dialect of the Burmese.