vailed in the South-sea islands; and I cannot think that the many resemblances are perfectly accidental.
Of the Merria or human sacrifices, the following has been forwarded by Mr. Stevenson, alluded to in the extract from his letter:—
Memorandum regarding Human Sacrifices among the Khoonds.—The sacrifice is offered to Thadha deveta (the earth), under the effigy of a bird. It is offered annually to propitiate the deity to grant favourable crops and seasons. The ceremony is performed at the expense, in rotation, of certain Mootas composing a circle, and connected together from local circumstances. It is impossible to ascertain the number of places in which the annual sacrifices take place, but they are very numerous. Besides the annual sacrifice, human victims are offered up by Mootas, or by individuals, to avert any threatening calamity arising from sickness, murrain, or other causes. The victims may be of any caste, or sex, or age; (I have not however heard of an instance of Khonds being sacrificed): but grown males are the most esteemed, because the most costly. Children are purchased, and reared for years with the family of the person who ultimately devotes them to sacrifice, when circumstances demand a victim from him. They appear to be treated with every kindness, and, if too young to be conscious of their fate, are under no constraint—otherwise they are kept in fetters and guarded. There appears to be no difficulty in procuring victims; most of those that have been rescued were sold by their parents or nearest relatives, and this appears a very common practice. Persons of riper age are kidnapped, and there are individuals who follow a trade in human flesh, and supply victims by kidnapping or forcibly seizing children. The Khonds never sacrifice a criminal, or a prisoner captured in war. It must always be purchased—the price paid is from 60 to 200 Rupees, and the price is paid either in brass vessels, cattle, or coin, or partly in each.
The Janee or priest (who may be of any caste) officiates at the sacrifice, but he performs the pooja offering of incense, flowers, &c. to the idol, through the medium of the Toomba, who must be a Khond child under seven years of age. This child is fed and clothed at the public expense, and eats with no other person, and is not subjected to any act deemed impure.
For a month prior to the day of sacrifice, there is much feasting, intoxication and dancing round the victim, who is adorned with garlands, &c. and, the day prior to the sacrifice, is intoxicated with toddy, and made to sit, (if necessary tied with seven ropes) at the bottom of a post which has previously been planted with some ceremonies, and on the
