INTRODUCTION xv

the folk-lore of the Aimol, as he has pointed out, but also
among the Lushais, a very similar story having been recorded
by Colonel Lewin in Demagri, 250 miles in an air line from the
Mikir hills, and published in his Progressive Colloquial exercises
in the Lushai dialect in 1874.

My best thanks are due to Lt.-Colonel Cole, Major Playfair,
and Mr. Little, P.W.D., for many of the photographs, and
especially to my wife, my companion for many years in these
hills, for the four coloured illustrations.

I am also indebted to Rev. W. K. Firminger for correcting
the second proofs and making the index. I must also acknow-
ledge the assistance I received from many Lushais and others,
notably Hrangzora Chuprasie of Aigal and Pathong, interpreter
of Manipur.

J. SHAKESPEAR.

Imphal, Manipur State.

September \Wi, 1910.