iv RELIGION 91

the Ai ceremonies performed after the killing of animals or
men, but it is a thank-offering for a good harvest. It is not
worth performing Ai for a crop of less than 100 baskets. An
old red cock and a pig are killed and much zu prepared.

There is a special pot of zu prepared on the platform in
front of the house of which no one who has not performed the
Buh-ai can drink, for others to drink of it is " thianglo." The
person who gave the last Buh-ai feast is entitled to the first
drink at this zu, which is called the " Buhza-zu " (the 100
baskets of rice zu). There is ordinary zu for the others
to drink, and if it is not all finished the first day the guests
return on the morrow.

The flesh of the animals killed is eaten by the guests. At
night the girls and lads dance the Chai, as in the Chap-char-
kut. To give such a feast reflects great glory on the giver
and improves his standing in the village.

The Buh-ai is celebrated • by nearly all the Lushai-Kuki
clans and in some replaces the Thangchhuah feasts. Pull
particulars will be found in Part II.