THE LUSHEI KUKI CLANS BY Lt.-COLONEL J. SHAKESPEAR Published under the orders of the Government of Eastern Bengal and Assam WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND MAP MACMILLAN AND CO., LIMITED ST. MARTIN'S STREET, LONDON 1912 Copyright. Richard Clay and Sons, Limited BRUNSWICK STREET, STAMFORD STREET, S.E., AND BUNGAY, SUFFOLK. I DEDICATE THIS BOOK TO "THANGLIANA" Lieut.-Colonel T. H. Lewin THE FRUITS OF WHOSE LABOURS I WAS PRIVILEGED TO REAP, AND WHO, AFTER AN ABSENCE OF NEARLY FORTY YEARS, IS STILL AFFECTIONATELY REMEMBERED BY THE LUSHAIS. TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction xiii Bibliography xvii Glossary xix PART I THE LUSHEI CLANS CHAPTER I PAGE General 1 1. Habitat. 2. Appearance and physical characteristics. 3. History. 4. Affinities. 5. Dress. 6. Tattooing. 7. Ornaments. 8. Weapons. CHAPTER II Domestic Life 17 1. Occupation. 2. Weights and Measures. 3. Villages. 4. Houses. 5. Furniture. 6. Implements--Agricultural, Musical, Household. 7. Manufactures--Basket work, Pottery, Brass work, Iron work, Cloth manufacture, Dyeing, Ornamentation. 8. Domestic animals. 9. Agriculture. 10. Hunting and fishing. 11. Food and drink. 12. Amusements--Dances, Athletics, Games. CHAPTER III Laws and Customs 41 1. Internal structure--Formation and constitution of the Clan, Sub-division into Families and Branches. 2. Tribal organisation--The Chief, Village officials, Rights of chief, Boi, Sal, &c. 3. Marriage--Bride-price, Divorce, Widow remarriage. 4. Female chastity. 5. Inheritance-- Adoption. 6. Offences regarding property. 7. Offences connected with the body. 8. Decisions of disputes. 9. War and head-hunting--Ambushing, Raiding, First use of guns, Head-hunting. CHAPTER IV Religion 61