74 THE LUSHEI CLANS CHAP.

A cock and hen are killed. Three bamboos are brought; of
these " theibial" are made, which are pieces of bamboo about
four inches long stuck into the ground A small basket called
"maicham" is also made, and some small square mats called
"lengleh" made of a thin strip of bamboo bent round and round
itself and kept in position by lacings of black and red threads.
These are hung from small pieces of bamboo stuck into the
theibial. The fowls' throats are cut and the blood allowed to
flow on the maicham and theibial. Then three small stones
are brought from the nearest stream and a shallow hole is dug
at the place of sacrifice and lined with a wild plantain leaf. In
this some water is poured and the stones and the sherh are
placed in the water* The fowls' flesh may be cooked and eaten
either on the spot or in the house.

JBawl-pui.—This is a very important sacrifice, which is seldom
performed and only after all others have been tried. Two
small clay figures are made, one to represent a man and the
other a woman. These are called " ram-chawm."

The female figure has a petticoat of "hnahtial" (a plant which
has tough leaves used for wrapping up food to be taken on a
journey), and is made to bite the pig's liver.

The male figure is provided with a pipe and a necklace of the
liver of the pig which is sacrificed. A small bamboo platform
is made, and on it is put a clay model of a gong and other
household utensils, and sometimes of mithan.

The pig's throat is cut and the blood allowed to flow over the
platform, &c.

The pig's flesh is cooked on the spot. To take it into the
house is " thianglo." Many persons come and eat it with the
puithiam. If the patient does not die during the performance
of the sacrifice or during the subsequent feast he will
undoubtedly recover.

4. Kangpuizam.—This is a very important and efficacious

sacrifice, and can only be performed by a certain wise man of
Ices In the Khawtlang or Vuite clans. It costs Us. 40/- besides the
ihfkness. cos^ °^ ^e an™als killed and zu drunk. In front of the house
a sort of arbour is made of grass and boughs supported on four
sticks. All round this are hung little balls made of split cane
rolled up tight. This split cane is said to be much liked by