An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies: Together with an Account of the Detaining in Captivity the Author and Divers other Englishmen Now Living There, and of the Author's Miraculous EscapeKnox, Robert
History
An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies: Together with an Account of the Detaining in Captivity the Author and Divers other Englishmen Now Living There, and of the Author's Miraculous Escape
Knox, Robert
Sri Lanka -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; Sri Lanka -- Social life and customs
[They easily heal the biting of Serpents, by herbs.] They are
oftentimes stung with venomous Serpents, upon which sudden death
follows without speedy help: But if the bite be taken in time, they
can certainly cure themselves, and make nothing of it. Which they
perform both by Herbs and Charms. Tho upon the sting they presently
vomit blood. The knowledg of these antidotal Herbs they have learned
from the Mounggoutia a kind of Ferret. This creature when the Noya and
he meets always fight. If he chanceth to be bitten by the Serpent,
which is very venomous, he runs away to a certain herb and eats it
and so is cured, and then comes back and fights again. The Chingulays
when they see these two creatures fighting, do diligently observe them,
and when they see the Mounggouttia goes away, they take notice of the
herbs he eats, and thereby have learned what herbs are proper to cure
such venoms.
[And charms.] They are skilful also in the use of Charms, to cure
the stings of Serpents or to prevent them, the Noyas they can charm
to that pass, that they will take them up in their hands and carry
them in baskets and handle them and kiss them without any harm. But
the Polonga will not hear a charm. They charm other wild and venomous
creatures also; as the Tyger that he shall not hurt their Cattel.
[Nor good at healing inward distempers.] But to cure inward diseases
they are not excellent. But generally when they are sick they apply
themselves to their Gods. But their chief supplication they make to
the Devil, as being God's instrument, sent to punish and afflict whom
he pleaseth; as I have discoursed at large already.
[They both bury and burn their dead.] These People are very loath
to dye, and as much afraid of the Devil in their sickness, whom at
such times they chiefly invoke. Being dead none will come near the
house for many days, lest they should be defiled. The better sort
burn the dead, because worms and maggots should not eat them. But
the poorer sort who regard not such matters bury them making a hole
in the Woods, and carrying the body wrapped up in a mat upon a Pole
on their shoulders with two or three attending it, and so laying it
in without any ceremony, and covering it.
[They send for a Priest to pray for his Soul.] Some days after his
decease, if his friends wish well to his Soul, they send for a Priest
to the house, who spends a whole night in praying and singing for the
saving of that Soul. This Priest besides very good entertainment, in
the morning must have great gifts and rewards. And to encourage them
therein, he tells them that the like bounty and liberality as they shew
to him, shall the Soul of their departed friend receive in the other
world. And so according to their ability they freely give unto him,
such things as they are possessors of. And he out of his Wonderful good
nature refuseth not any thing, be it never so mean. And thus with Drums
and Pipes sounding before him, they conduct him home to his house.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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