ii CLANS INFLUENCED BY LUSHEIS 145

killed, and its feathers are worn round the necks of the mother
and infant. The mother may go out of the house, but for four
days after the birth both parents abstain from all work. On
occasion of the naming two or three pigs if available should be
killed and much zu drunk. The Khal sacrifices, with the
exception of Uihring, are not performed, but most of the other
sacrifices are made.

The custom of paying " lukawng " on the death of a person is
unknown, and the funeral ceremonies generally are very unlike
those of the Lushais.

After death the corpse is placed on a platform and fires are
lit round it, and young men and maidens sleep near it. The
skin is hardened and preserved by being rubbed with some
greasy preparation. The body is dressed in the best cloths
available, and a chaplet of the tail feathers of the hornbill is
placed on its head. During the daytime the corpse is kept in
the house, but in the evening it is brought out and seated on
the verandah while the villagers dance and sing round it and
drink zu, pouring it also into the mouth of the corpse. This
disgusting performance goes on for a month or more according
to the social position of the deceased. The corpses of those
who have attained Thangchhuah honours are kept for a year, at
least, in a special shed encased in a tree trunk. Before burial
the corpse is carried round the village. In case of a violent
death, which does not as among the Lushais include deaths in
childbirth, the corpse is placed in the forge and the puithiam
sacrifices a fowl, after which the usual ceremonies take place.
The Kut festivals are not observed, but after harvest the owners
of houses in which young men lodge kill one or two pigs.
The honour of Thangchhuah is obtained by giving the
following feasts:—(1) Buh ai, one mithan being killed; (2) She-
shun, one mithan being killed; (3) Chawn, three mithan and two
pigs being killed. No other feasts are given and windows may
be made by anyone. Most of the superstitions common among
the Lushais are believed, but gibbons are freely killed. The
Vuite are very much afraid of witchcraft, but deny all
knowledge of it. When a new site for a house has to be chosen
an egg is taken and one end is removed. It is then propped up
on three small stones and a fire is lit under it. If the contents